Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help all people in northern Sri Lanka to have access to clean drinking water; and if he will make representations to his Sri Lankan counterpart on an independent investigation of the area around the Chunnakam power plant complex.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government is aware of the challenges Sri Lanka faces around water management and quality, and the unique challenges faced by communities in the Northern Province. A number of public bodies in Sri Lanka, including the national water supply and drainage board, have conducted tests into the water quality. The Chunnakam Power plant has offered compensation to those affected by water pollution. The UK Government supports the International Water Management Institute, an international water management research organisation, solutions to increasing water scarcity in Puttalam and Kilinochchi. Officials from the British High Commission Colombo regularly visit the Northern Province, meet with a range of stakeholders, and hear their experiences and concerns.
Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with women-led organisations in Afghanistan on those groups' involvement in addressing the Taliban government's ban on female aid workers in that country.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The ban on Afghan women working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) represents a further violation of the rights and freedoms of Afghan women. FCDO officials and ministers regularly engage with women-led organisations in Afghanistan, including local and international NGOs and UN Women. On 19 January the Minister of State for South Asia chaired a meeting with Afghan women including representatives from women-led organisations based in Afghanistan, which discussed the impact of the ban and how best to respond. The Prime Minister's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan chairs regular meetings with NGO partners based in Afghanistan, most recently on 25 January.
Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the UK Government is taking to support Afghan civil society in delivering (a) humanitarian and (b) development assistance to vulnerable women and girls in that country.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Since April 2021, the Government has disbursed £514 million in aid for Afghanistan. We contribute to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund which includes a $20 million programme of support to Afghan civil society. The Government has committed to at least 50 per cent of our aid in Afghanistan reaching women and girls. We fund programmes that target women and girls, aimed at tackling gender-based violence and providing health and sexual reproductive health services. We continue to press the Taliban to reverse their ban on female aid workers as Afghan women are critical in providing life-saving support to women and girls.
Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to with NGOs to support programmes in Afghanistan affected by the Taliban government's ban on female aid workers in that country.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The ban on Afghan women working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) represents a further violation of the rights and freedoms of Afghan women. The Government is working with the UN, NGOs and other donor governments to understand the impact of the ban, pursue a coordinated response and ensure that life-saving humanitarian assistance continues where possible. Where NGO partners have had to suspend activity, either partially or fully, the UK is continuing to cover staff salaries and other critical associated operational costs. The Government continues to press the Taliban to reverse their decision.