Asked by: Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation on 15 March that Yemen will face a famine later this year unless immediate action is taken, that 2.2 million children are malnourished, and that children under the age of five are dying from preventable causes.
Answered by Lord Bates
The statement by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and others highlights the need to respond urgently to the food security crisis and prevent loss of life. In February, the Secretary of State issued a call to the international community to step up their response to the risk of famine in Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria and Yemen. The UK has led by example, providing lifesaving nutrition support to 889,000 women and children and food or food vouchers to 462,000 people in 2016/17 so far. We are planning a significant contribution to Yemen in 2017/18.
Asked by: Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of evidence of a rise in the number of war crimes committed in South Sudan, whether they will give their support (1) to a transitional administration, and (2) for intervention by the UN and the African Union.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We remain deeply concerned by the violence and insecurity in South Sudan along ethnic lines. The UK believes only a meaningful and inclusive political process can lead to a lasting solution to the conflict in South Sudan and end the humanitarian crisis. We fully support the efforts of the region, the African Union and the UN in working to bring peace to South Sudan and to ensure that those who have committed crimes are held to account. We strongly support the UN Mission in South Sudan and are currently in the process of deploying 379 UK troops to it. They will carry out vital engineering and advisory support, and will set up a field hospital in Bentiu.
Asked by: Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that future imports into the UK from African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) group countries are not placed at risk by the cessation of any Economic Partnership Agreements preferences, and to ensure that UK exporters of goods and services to ACP markets are not disadvantaged in relation to EU countries.
Answered by Lord Price
The UK enjoys strong trading relationships with many developing countries, including the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of Sates. As we leave the EU, we recognise the need for a smooth transition which minimises disruption to our trading relationships, both for operators in developing countries and the UK. Indeed, I and my ministerial colleagues are taking all opportunities to meet our counterpart trade ministers from the ACP group. We remain committed to ensuring that developing countries can reduce poverty through trading opportunities, so that they can become our trading partners of the future.
Asked by: Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the statement made by the UN Secretary-General concerning the famines in South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen, and to his warning that hunger and famine threaten the lives of people in those countries.
Answered by Lord Bates
We are deeply concerned by the UN Secretary General’s statement warning that there is a credible risk of four famines in 2017: South Sudan (where famine has already been declared), Nigeria, Yemen and Somalia. The UK was the first major donor to raise the alarm bell and respond. We have issued an urgent call to action to the international community to step up their response; provided lifesaving treatment for acute malnutrition, food, water and emergency healthcare; and are working closely with other donors and partners to ensure a more efficient and effective response to the crises.
Asked by: Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of (1) the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the EU and regions in the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) group of countries, and (2) the negotiation of similar arrangements with remaining regions of the ACP group.
Answered by Lord Price
The UK is a long-standing supporter of the EU’s Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). EPAs aim to promote increased trade and investment by putting our trading relationship on a more equitable, mature and business-like footing, in order to support sustainable growth and poverty reduction. As the UK leaves the EU, we have an opportunity to position the UK as the world-leader on trade and development policy. We are in a stronger position than ever to develop trade relationships that maximise benefits for developing countries and for the UK.
Asked by: Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of findings published on 6 February by Human Rights Watch that Burmese government forces committed rape and other sexual violence against ethnic Rohingya women and girls during security operations in northern Rakhine State in 2016.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We are deeply concerned by these reports. I visited Burma in November 2016 in my capacity as the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict. In that capacity, I pressed the Burmese Minister of Defence on the importance of the army handling allegations of sexual violence against women in a thorough and transparent manner. I also lobbied other senior Ministers for a full and independent investigation into all reports of human rights violations. During my visit, I also heard direct from Rohingya leaders about the plight facing their community in Rakhine State and I hosted a workshop in which I met survivors of sexual violence along with practitioners engaged in efforts to prevent conflict-related sexual violence.
Asked by: Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of deaths, illness and malnutrition in camps for the Rohingya in Rakhine State, Burma, as a result of restrictions on access to humanitarian assistance.
Answered by Lord Bates
There have been no significant restrictions on providing humanitarian assistance to Rohingya in camps in Rakhine State. These are outside the area affected by security operations since October 2016. Malnutrition rates in camps remain poor by international standards, with 8.6% of people suffering acute malnutrition according to the most recent survey. This is comparable to other areas in Burma. Mortality data is not systematically collected by international agencies providing support to the camps.
Asked by: Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 30 January (HL4720), how many Rohingya people are (1) receiving no assistance as a result of restrictions on humanitarian assistance and access, and (2) receiving partial assistance; and, for those receiving partial assistance, what they are receiving and what they are not able to receive.
Answered by Lord Bates
Government authorities have not permitted humanitarian needs assessments for Rohingya people across all of the areas affected by security operations. We are, therefore, not in a position to provide an accurate answer to the question.
Asked by: Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of the US following President Trump's reinstatement of the global gag rule; and what assessment they have made of the effect of this on the work of the Department for International Development and British development aid organisations working with women seeking assistance with, or advice on, abortion.
Answered by Lord Bates
The full implications of the reinstated and expanded Mexico City policy are not yet clear but we are closely following developments. DFID will consider the implications with our offices, with UK civil society and with donors.
Asked by: Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have assessed the extent to which a UN Commission of Inquiry into the situation in Rakhine State, Burma, would help to establish the facts about what is taking place in the State, and make recommendations to help to improve the situation.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UK Government supports the Rakhine Advisory Commission led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, which has the support of Burma's democratically elected government and the international community. The Commission's interim recommendations are expected in the spring and its final recommendations in the summer.
A separate UN Commission of Inquiry could be authorised by the Security Council, the Human Rights Council or the UN Secretary General personally. We assess it is unlikely there would be sufficient international support for such a commission on the situation in Rakhine at this time. There are a number of countries that routinely oppose such commissions as a matter of principle, and have done so in the past. We consider the Annan Commission currently represents the most realistic way forward.