Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Zimbabwe on that country’s humanitarian needs as a result of Cyclone Idai.

The Secretary of State and I have both written to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Zimbabwe expressing our condolences and offering our full support. The UK was amongst the first to respond and is the largest donor – allocating £22 million to the response across the three countries affected. While the impact of Cyclone Idai has not been as severe in Zimbabwe as in Mozambique, the situation remains serious and 4,500 people have been displaced. In Zimbabwe, UK aid is providing support for health, child protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene in the worst-affected areas. DFID is also supporting the provision of emergency latrines and sanitation equipment. We continue to monitor the situation closely and stand ready to provide further support if needed.