Asked by: Lord Framlingham (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the urgent need, in the wake of recent hurricanes, to clear trees, make the maximum use of their timber, and to train local communities in those skills, what plans they have to support on a permanent basis organisations like DART International UK which stand ready to carry out this work.
Answered by Lord Bates
The destructive force of Hurricanes Irma and Maria was unprecedented. Our first priority has been meeting immediate humanitarian needs, restoring security and critical infrastructure. DFID is using our existing supply chains and network of partners to maximise use if local resources which includes timber.
DFID works very closely with a number of pre-qualified organisations as part of the Rapid Response Facility, to provide grants in specific areas during sudden crises. DART International UK is not one of those as it is not an existing Rapid Response Facility Partner.