Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department has provided to support the response to the earthquakes in north-west Syria.

The UK responded immediately to provide life-saving support to people in Syria. On 7 February Lord Ahmad spoke with the UK funded White Helmets, who mobilised a major search-and-rescue effort in north west Syria and confirmed the UK hadcommitted an additional £4.3 million to support their operations. Also, UK contributions to the UN's Syria Cross-Border Humanitarian Fund ensured pre-positioned supplies, including food, could be received immediately by those in need. A further humanitarian package, including over 1400 tents and 17000 blankets have been distributed into Syria to provide protection in the freezing winter conditions in north west Syria. We also welcome the UN brokered agreement to open up additional border crossings into the north west to support the delivery of aid to those who need.