Asked by: Jo Cox (Labour - Batley and Spen)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the finding of the Concern Worldwide (UK) report of 20 May 2016, Still Paying the Price, on the proportion of funding pledged during the Supporting Syria and the Region Conference in February 2016 so far received, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that all pledges are being fulfilled.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
The Supporting Syria and the Region Conference raised an unprecedented $12 billion for Syria and the region, including $6 billion for this year. Since the Concern Worldwide (UK) Report was published, further funding has been received by the UN towards their 2016 appeals, bringing total 2016 disbursements to $1.7 billion.
A recent letter from the Prime Minister – signed by all Conference co-hosts – pressed leaders for prompt disbursement of their pledges. We are also in final negotiations with a provider to develop and implement a tracking mechanism for all the financial commitments made at the London Conference. On 24 May the Secretary of State chaired a constructive meeting in the margins of the World Humanitarian Summit to review implementation of both financial and policy agreements made at the London Conference, and progress will be reviewed again at the UN General Assembly in September. I am working closely with Syria Conference co-hosts to ensure these measures help to maintain pressure on donors to honour their pledges through more rapid disbursement.
Asked by: Jo Cox (Labour - Batley and Spen)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans her Department has for post-conflict assistance in Burundi.
Answered by Nick Hurd
The UK is gravely concerned about the ongoing political and human rights crisis in Burundi. DFID has provided technical support, in the form of secondment of experts, to support and strengthen the capacity of UN agencies working in Burundi, and has deployed a humanitarian adviser to the region in support of the response and to monitor funding provided so far.
DFID has provided £21.15 million since April 2015 to support shelter, food, healthcare and livelihoods assistance for Burundian refugees in Tanzania and Rwanda. DFID is also supporting refugees in the DRC and Uganda through existing programmes and the provision of technical advice. DFID offices across the region are working closely to monitor the situation, review preparedness activities and provide humanitarian support.
Asked by: Jo Cox (Labour - Batley and Spen)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make an assessment of the extent to which her Department's policies prioritise the prevention of identity-based mass violence.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
The Strategic Defence and Security Review and the UK Aid Strategy set out a consolidated, whole-of-government approach to tackling conflict and building stability overseas. This approach uses diplomatic, development, defence and law enforcement capabilities in an integrated manner. As such, addressing and preventing conflict, instability and state failure is a key priority running through UK aid policies and programmes. This includes the prevention of identity-based mass violence, alongside other forms of violence and instability.
These priorities are reflected in National Security Council-led strategies for countries and regions at risk of instability, including of large-scale identity based violence. The underlying drivers and enablers of mass atrocities are addressed as part of joint, cross-government conflict analysis and early warning, and through conflict-sensitive development programming. Development programmes also contribute to the prevention of mass violence by supporting wider conflict prevention and peacebuilding activities - for example by supporting community mediation efforts, or reforming security and justice systems.
Asked by: Jo Cox (Labour - Batley and Spen)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how her Department integrates atrocity prevention into its work (a) in at risk countries and (b) with at risk communities.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
In the UK Aid Strategy published in the autumn the Government committed to spending at least 50% of the Department for International Development’s budget in fragile states and regions in each year of this parliament, as well as to increasing the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund to over £1.3 billion a year by 2019/20. We are investing in fragile states and regions to build stability and tackle the underlying drivers and enablers of all types of violent conflict - including identity-based mass violence and atrocities - rather than simply responding after violence breaks out.
Conflict and large-scale violence are best prevented by enabling societies to develop the strong and legitimate institutions needed to manage tensions peacefully. This requires a long-term, patient approach through increased support to tackle corruption, promote good governance, develop security and justice, and create jobs and economic opportunity. These are essential elements of the golden thread of democracy and development, supporting peaceful and inclusive societies at national and community levels.
Asked by: Jo Cox (Labour - Batley and Spen)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what contribution the UK has made to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees in each of the last three years; what contribution the UK plans to make to that Agency for such work in each of the next three years; what the reasons are for changes in the level of those contributions; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
The UK is the third largest donor to UNRWA’s General Fund and we have provided additional funding to UNRWA’s emergency appeals. In 2012/13, our contributions totalled £43.8 million; in 2013/14, we provided £49.8 million, and in 2014/15 we contributed £53.4 million. Our average General Fund contribution was £33 million. In 2015/16, we are providing £30 million to the General Fund plus £8 million for the Syria emergency appeal and £2 million for UNRWA’s work in Gaza. We will continue to review our emergency funding and agree a new multi-year package of support for UNRWA in the months ahead. We will continue to support UNRWA pending a political solution for Palestinian refugees, but the Agency needs to take urgent steps to address its chronic deficit through reform.