United Nations World Humanitarian Summit

Baroness Coussins Excerpts

Tuesday 12th April 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Verma]

My Lords, the right reverend Prelate is right that we need to ensure that we do not miss out on the local support groups on the ground. We have a mixture of packages. There is some work that the multilaterals are better placed to do. Of course, as the right reverend Prelate said, it is also important that local-led community groups are properly supported. DfID support will be there to ensure that not only are we urging others to step up to the mark to support these local groups but we are doing that ourselves.

[Baroness Coussins (CB)]

My Lords, when the Minister last referred to the Istanbul summit in this House, she mentioned that one of the themes on the agenda would be the protection of civilian populations. Would Her Majesty’s Government be willing to table an item on the agenda in Istanbul about the need to protect the civilian interpreters in conflict zones?

[Baroness Verma]

My Lords, the noble Baroness raises a point that is well above my own pay grade but I will take that back to the department.