Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will take steps to ensure that UK Official Development Assistance programmes help developing countries reduce the use of antibiotics in farming.
Answered by James Duddridge
UK Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) supports developing countries to develop sustainable farming systems which are good for livelihoods, for human and animal health, and the environment, and which are resilient to climate change. This includes fostering the responsible use of antibiotics for animal health and welfare, while monitoring and preventing the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a top UK government priority.
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the interlinkages between the health of humans, animals and the environment. UK ODA promotes the importance of taking a One Health approach that addresses all three in an integrated manner for an effective and sustainable recovery.
The Department of Health and Social Care’s Fleming Fund has provided over £9 million of funding to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) since 2016 to address AMR and support the appropriate use of antibiotics in farming in 12 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). UK ODA also funds the CGIAR AMR Hub (the global agricultural innovation network) that aims to develop One Health solutions to support LMICs in controlling agriculture-associated AMR risks.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking ensure that religious minorities are not discriminated against during the establishment of aid projects.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The UK Government works to ensure that religious minorities are not discriminated against during the establishment of aid projects and is committed to delivering its aid according to internationally recognised humanitarian principles. These principles ensure that humanitarian assistance is delivered to those who are most vulnerable and most in need of assistance irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity.
The situation of minority communities is taken into account when assessing those most in need of protection and assistance. This includes when a community is being targeted or is otherwise vulnerable because of their faith. We regularly challenge our partners to demonstrate that they are doing all they can to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people, including those from religious minorities.
Vulnerable religious minority groups can experience discrimination, violence and stigma. For this reason, guidance has been circulated across DFID highlighting that inclusion must be central to our work and the specific contexts and needs of vulnerable religious communities, and other vulnerable groups, must be considered when developing practical programmes of assistance. DFID’s due diligence assessments ensure that all organisations supported have the correct procedures in place to tackle any discrimination of religious minorities.
On 8 June, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State responsible for Human Rights, hosted a roundtable with faith leaders and the chief executives of faith-based development organisations. The meeting covered how faith groups are contributing to the response to COVID-19; where those interventions have been most effective; the challenges for faith groups, and, how DFID could work more effectively with faith groups.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) Christians and (b) other religious minorities are not discriminated against during the distribution of UK aid.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The UK Government works to ensure that Christian and other religious minorities are not discriminated against during the distribution of UK aid.
The UK is committed to delivering its aid according to internationally recognised humanitarian principles. These principles ensure that humanitarian assistance is delivered to those who are most vulnerable and most in need of this assistance. This includes vulnerable religious minorities.
Vulnerable religious minority groups will experience crises such as COVID-19 outbreaks differently. Crises are likely to reinforce their marginalised position in society, their experience of discrimination, violence and stigma, and further limit their access to essential support and services. For this reason, guidance was circulated across DFID highlighting that inclusion must be central to our response and the specific contexts and needs of vulnerable religious communities and other vulnerable groups should be taken into account when developing practical programmes of assistance.
On 8 June, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State responsible for Human Rights, hosted a roundtable to hear from faith leaders and faith-based development organisations about the specific challenges minority faith communities are facing during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to ensure that her Department's spending on poverty relief includes (a) Christians and (b) other religious minorities who are persecuted for their faith.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The UK Government works to ensure that all aid reaches the most vulnerable including those from Christian and other religious minorities who are persecuted for their faith.
The UK is committed to delivering its humanitarian aid according to internationally recognised humanitarian principles. These principles ensure that humanitarian assistance is delivered to those who are most vulnerable and most in need of this assistance. This includes vulnerable religious minorities.
DFID’s use of country context analysis has increased the extent to which religious dynamics and religious groups are factored into all of our country programmes. DFID undertakes interdisciplinary analysis of a country’s politics, society, state and economy to identify the most significant problems that hinder development and the main entry points and opportunities to create change. There is a strong emphasis on how politics, security, and demographics interact with economic growth and human development. This includes the role of religion and the persecution of religious minorities.
Vulnerable religious minority groups will experience crises such as COVID-19 outbreaks differently. Crises are likely to reinforce their marginalised position in society, their experience of discrimination, violence and stigma, and further limit their access to essential support and services. For this reason, guidance was circulated across DFID highlighting that inclusion must be central to our response and the specific contexts and needs of vulnerable religious communities and other vulnerable groups should be taken into account when developing practical programmes of assistance.
On 8 June, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State responsible for Human Rights, hosted a roundtable to hear from faith leaders and faith-based development organisations about the specific challenges minority faith communities are facing during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to paragraph 88 of Chapter Two of the White Paper, The future relationship between the UK and the EU, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, which resources the Government is planning to pool with EU institutions in accordance with the proposals there set out.
Answered by Alistair Burt
Any resources pooled with EU institutions in accordance with the proposals in the White Paper would be part of our commitment to spend 0.7% of UK GNI as Official Development Assistance.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make it her policy to support development projects aimed at improving sanitation and infection control as part of efforts to reduce anti-microbial resistance.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The Department for International Development continues to support programmes and projects which focus on the reduction of anti-microbial resistance (AMR) by through DFID’s approach to health system strengthening with country partners. This emphasises the importance of improving infection control, hygiene and sanitation in health facilities, which is key for the prevention of infections and AMR. In addition, we continue to support millions of people to get access to household sanitation and hygiene which will help reduce disease and so demand for antibiotics.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make it her policy to encourage the involvement of church groups and other Christian organisations in the delivery of overseas development projects and programmes.
Answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm
Faith groups make a significant, wide and distinctive contribution to poverty reduction. As such, DFID encourages their involvement in overseas development and currently provides funding to over 30 faith groups. DFID’s Faith Partnership Principles Paper aims to strengthen partnerships with faith groups, including by building a common understanding of faith and development and documenting the impact of faith groups.