Asked by: Nick Smith (Labour - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 8 February 2017 to Question 62668, what assessment her Department has made of port capacity in Yemen; and what options her Department has taken forward to improve port infrastructure for aid delivery.
Answered by Rory Stewart
The conflict has destroyed or damaged critical infrastructure (for example, the largest cranes in the port of Hodeidah) and the current phase of military activity along the Red Sea is already further limiting the flow of life-saving commodities through Hodeidah port. Over 80% of food assistance in the last 6 months of 2016 entered the country through Hodeidah and neighbouring Salif ports. If Hodeidah port ceases to function, this would accelerate the onset of famine.
We continue to discuss options to improve port infrastructure in Hodeidah with Gulf countries, the US and the UN. However, recent events have made the successful delivery of mobile cranes for Hodeidah unlikely in the short-term.
Asked by: Nick Smith (Labour - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that adequate port infrastructure is in place at Al Hudaydah port and other ports in Yemen for the transmission of international aid to the Yemeni people.
Answered by Rory Stewart
The UK Government is discussing short-term options to improve port infrastructure in Hodeidah with Gulf countries, the US and the UN. We are also monitoring port capacity across the country.
We are also calling on all parties to the conflict to protect civilian infrastructure, including Hodeidah port, from further damage; and to restart political talks in order to end the conflict.
Asked by: Nick Smith (Labour - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, to which areas UK funds to help with the earthquake in Nepal are being dispersed; and what steps she is taking to ensure the resources are reaching the affected areas.
Answered by Rory Stewart
UK funds are being dispersed to support post-earthquake reconstruction activities primarily in four focal districts; which are Gorkha, Dhading, Rasuwa and Nuwakot. The UK Government is also supporting the Government of Nepal’s national reconstruction priorities that help reach out to all earthquake affected districts. These include housing reconstruction coordination, assessing geological post-earthquake hazards, enrolling affected households into the housing grant process, and training builders.
DFID works hard to ensure that all of our programmes are closely monitored, and adopts a zero tolerance approach towards any form of corruption and fraud. A DFID field office in the earthquake affected areas and field visits from DFID staff monitor our partners’ delivery. All DFID reconstruction related projects have been designed with key stakeholders as well as being informed by surveys, field visits and studies conducted in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Asked by: Nick Smith (Labour - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the annual budget is for food produced for her Department's offices; and what proportion of food produced for her Department was sourced from British producers in the last period for which figures are available.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
Department for International Development does not set a budget for food served in its Department’s offices. Catering services are provided by a private company under contract to Department for International Development and provides food to staff without subsidy. Spending on food is determined by the contractor based on sales receipts from DFID staff.
Asked by: Nick Smith (Labour - Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proportion of dairy products procured for her Department was sourced from British producers in the latest period for which figures are available.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
DFID do not purchase dairy products directly. However the Departments catering service provider procures 100% of their dairy produce from British sources.