Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been spent in each year through the Ross Fund since it was set up.
Answered by Lord Bates
The Ross Fund is a portfolio of programmes, identified in the UK Aid Strategy, led by either DFID or Department of Health (DH), aimed at combatting the world's most serious diseases.
Since the Ross Fund Portfolio was established, DFID spent £40m in the financial year 2016/17. DH spent £4.5m in 2015/16 and £17.8m in 2016/17. Details for the current financial year will be available after March 2018.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much of the Ross Fund has been (1) allocated, and (2) disbursed.
Answered by Lord Bates
The Ross Fund is a portfolio of programmes, identified in the UK Aid Strategy, led by either DFID or Department of Health (DH), aimed at combatting the world's most serious diseases.
DFID was allocated £547m and DH £461m from the Ross Fund Portfolio. To date DFID has (1) allocated £445m and (2) disbursed £40m to end of financial year 2016/17. DH has (1) allocated £461m and has (2) disbursed £22.3m to end of financial year 2016/17. Details for the current financial year will be available after March 2018.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings in the Lancet Commission report, The path to longer and healthier lives for all Africans by 2030, published on 17 September, relating to GDP spending on health in sub-Saharan Africa and the effects of that spending on fighting malaria in the region.
Answered by Lord Bates
DFID’s assessment is that the Lancet Commission, which DFID co-funded and was led by African academics and health practitioners, has produced a rigorous, high quality report. We agree with its key findings which are being communicated to stakeholders across Africa. DFID will be taking forward its recommendations by continuing to provide significant financial and technical assistance to increase domestic funding for health; reform the World Health Organisation’s Africa Regional Office; and sustain gains made on malaria.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much funding they have provided to the Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar.
Answered by Lord Bates
The UK has provided approximately £120,000 over the last four years to Khan al-Ahmar through the Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) legal aid programme to support communities facing demolition. Approximately £51,000 was also provided in the last four years through our share of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) support to NRC for legal aid work.
The UK is gravely concerned about proposals to demolish Khan al-Ahmar and has raised the issue with the Israeli authorities.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have sought support from the European Development Fund for relief efforts in (1) the British Overseas Territories, and (2) other Commonwealth nations, impacted by Hurricane Irma.
Answered by Lord Bates
Needs assessments are being undertaken to help inform the response, including through the European Development Fund.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much is provided from the European Development Fund to the governments of (1) the British Overseas Territories, and (2) Antigua and Barbuda.
Answered by Lord Bates
The following table sets out the indicative allocations under the 11th European Development Fund (2014-2020).
Anguilla | €14 million |
Antigua and Barbuda | €3 million |
Falkland Islands | €5.9 million |
Montserrat | €18.4 million |
Pitcairn | €2.4 million |
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha | €21.5 million |
Turks and Caicos Islands | €14.6 million |
In addition, the Overseas Territories and Antigua and Barbuda are able to access Regional Funds under the EDF.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much the Department for International Development has spent on bilateral funding for HIV and AIDS programmes in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
Answered by Lord Bates
The table below shows DFID Bilateral ODA expenditure on HIV/AIDS for the last five years for which figures are available.
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STD control including HIV/AIDS | 183,079 | 115,146 | 56,077 | 25,605 | 16,434 |
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The majority of our investments to the HIV response are now directed through multilateral partners such as the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, UNITAID and UNAIDS. This enables us to have greater impact on HIV than we could achieve through bilateral programmes alone.They can deliver the large-scale, low-cost programmes needed in the most effective way and at the best value to the taxpayer. For example, our £1.1billion investment in the Global Fund (2017-19), up from our £1bn pledge in 2014-2016, makes us the second largest donor. This support will help provide lifesaving anti-retroviral therapy for 1.3 million people living with HIV.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of a reported increase in permit denials for medical staff of al Makassed Hospital who live in the West Bank and Gaza, what assessment they have made of the impact of those denials on patient treatment.
Answered by Lord Bates
According to the World Health Organisation, permit denials for medical staff of Al Makassed hospital increased in 2016 with 21 reported permit denials compared to 10 permit denials in 2015. Permit delays and denials can lead to missed appointments and interrupted treatments. Movement of Palestinian medical staff from the West Bank and Gaza is essential for effective healthcare. HMG has consistently called on Israel to improve movement and access for Palestinians, including medical staff.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contribution they will be making to the 61st session of the Commission on the Status of Women taking place in New York from 13 to 24 March; and what efforts the Department for International Development will make to raise issues affecting older women in developing countries.
Answered by Lord Bates
A key objective for Her Majesty’s Government at the Commission on the Status of Women is to ensure that global standards on the rights of all women and girls are protected and progressed. We recognise that particular issues are faced by older women, and are committed to ensuring that the issues affected girls and women across their lifecycle are addressed.
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government to what extent the Department for International Development is considering the levels of poverty faced by older women and men in developing countries as part of its implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals commitment to leave no one behind.
Answered by Lord Bates
DFID’s country offices analyse levels of poverty, including as experienced by older people, but better data on ageing is vital. DFID’s Data Disaggregation Action Plan will strengthen data on ageing. DFID is working with the UK’s Office for National Statistics to convene a UN City Group on Ageing and Age to improve national and international data on ageing by strengthening the capacity of National Statistical Offices in partner countries and developing and promoting minimum standards on age data in programmes.