Lord Bishop of Coventry

The fight against Daesh led to widespread damage to infrastructure, housing and communities across Iraq. The World Bank has estimated the cost of material reconstruction to be at least £67 billion. An unquantifiable but equally serious social cost has simultaneously been exacted on Iraqi society.

The UN has spearheaded stabilisation efforts with its Funding Facility for Stabilisation (FFS), which helps stabilise areas liberated from Daesh by repairing infrastructure and vital facilities such as hospitals and schools. To date, almost 1400 projects have been completed by the FFS. The FFS has been the largest recipient of the UK’s own stabilisation funding in Iraq.

There are also numerous examples of International Community-led activities focused on social cohesion and reconciliation. The FFS works to build cohesion amongst communities as the displaced return to their homes. Alongside this, the UK has spent £2.68 million targeting community safety and reintegration projects in Salah-al-Din and Nineveh.

The UK and International Community will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Iraq as it rebuilds post-Daesh. However, as the immediate crisis recedes, only the Government of Iraq has the mandate, tools and capacity to take the primary role in driving systematic, long-term reconstruction across the country.

Since 2012, the UK has provided over £30 million in humanitarian assistance in Rakhine state, including food and sanitation for over 126,000 people. Our partners are delivering humanitarian assistance to more than 80,000 people in the non-conflict zones of Rakhine State. We continue to strongly urge the Burmese authorities to allow the access of aid, food and medication to all affected communities in Rakhine and we are working closely with them to support this. In northern Rakhine DFID partners are ready to provide emergency food assistance to 30,000 people and to treat more than 3,000 severely malnourished children and pregnant women once access is granted. DFID has also committed £10.9 million to meet the needs of displaced Rohingya and the host communities who support them in Bangladesh.

Organisations can apply for funding from the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund (IHPF) after completing an assessment to make sure that they have the capacity to deliver high quality humanitarian assistance. A list of all the organisations which have completed the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund capacity assessment is available on the UN OCHA Iraq website. A list of all organisations, including faith-based organisations, that received funding from the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund is published on the cbpf.unocha.org website. OCHA do not publish information about organisations which applied for funding but were unsuccessful.

UK officials in Iraq regularly meet with humanitarian organisations and direct them towards the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund (IHPF) to access funding. DFID does not differentiate in its approach between faith-based organisations and secular organisations, and supports the approach of the IHPF to provide funding to those best placed to provide assistance to those most in need. DFID officials in London meet quarterly with a working group of non-governmental organisation representatives to discuss Iraq, including many from faith-based organisations. The discussions regularly cover any concerns or questions that organisations have about access to IHPF funding.

The Kurdistan region hosts over one million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 230,000 Syrian refugees. A combination of the economic downturn in Iraq and IDP numbers has placed pressure on services in the region. The UN’s 2016 Humanitarian Response Plan was developed in coordination with both the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government and has received strong donor support. It has so far received 90% of the funds needed to provide life-saving assistance to 7.3 million vulnerable Iraqis, including those living in the Kurdistan region. The UN will launch a new Humanitarian Response Plan for 2017 later this month.

Faith-based organisations in Iraq are able to access UK funding through the UN-managed Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund, to which the UK is the largest donor. UK officials have met with faith-based organisations to discuss the humanitarian situation and to provide guidance on how to access the fund. UK Officials in the Kurdistan region are in regular contact with the Christian, Yezidi, and Muslim community leaders, and have participated in a Religious Dialogue Conference where all religions of the Kurdistan region were represented. All UK-funded humanitarian aid in the Kurdistan Region is distributed on the basis of need, irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity.

In areas of Iraq recently liberated by Daesh the UK is supporting UNICEF to provide lifesaving response services for victims of gender based violence, and the International Organisation for Migration to deliver general clinical and trauma care, including mental health services. The UK is the largest contributor to the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund, which responds to the most urgent needs of vulnerable Iraqis. This has included psychosocial support services for over 2,700 people, and referrals to specialist legal services for hundreds of survivors of torture and sexual violence.

Since June 2014, the UK has committed £79.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the crisis in Iraq. We are the largest contributor to the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund, which can provide rapid disbursements in the event of crises, such as sudden population displacements resulting from military operations. We have funded a contingency planning specialist to work with the Government of Iraq (GOI), Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the UN to support the humanitarian system in responding to needs arising from military efforts to liberate Mosul. This forms part of wider support by the UK to the GOI and KRG’s crisis response centres which have been developing humanitarian contingency plans ahead of any operations in Mosul.

To date, the UK has pledged over £1 billion in response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the region. The UK has allocated £519 million to support refugees in the region and vulnerable host communities to date, including £279 million in Lebanon and £183 million in Jordan. In Turkey, the UK has allocated £29 million for programmes supporting Syrian refugees including food, shelter and primary healthcare. The UK is also working in partnership with multiple Turkish institutions on targeted projects to build their capacity to tackle irregular migration.

We have been working intensively in recent weeks to lobby the EU and Member States to develop a substantial package of measures on migration and economic development between now and 2020. The UK has called for a €10 billion development–focused EU migration package focusing on upstream work in source and transit countries to address the lack of jobs and opportunities for those who rightly aspire to a better life. The UK government is working with partners right across Europe to ensure that, collectively, we are able to deliver a significant and comprehensive development response to this crisis.

The UK is deeply concerned that, according to UN figures, 422,000 people currently live in besieged areas in Syria. DFID works with trusted humanitarian organisations that endeavour to assist these populations and others in hard-to-reach areas.

The UK strongly condemns and calls for an end to the unlawful denial of access to impartial humanitarian partners. We have been instrumental in securing the passage of three UN Security Council Resolutions – 2139, 2156 and 2191 – demanding that all parties respect international humanitarian law and allow unhindered humanitarian access.

Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) has allocated £23 million to respond to the humanitarian crisis. £17.5 million of this is funding partners already working in Iraq to enable them to provide immediate life-saving assistance. HMG is also providing logistics, coordination and staffing support to the Kurdish and the UN systems to ensure long-term humanitarian provision.

HMG provided £1 million to UNHCR in Iraq in June 2014, which included support for 4,500 families with legal assistance, protection and support to registration. UNHCR is discussing these issues with the Government of Iraq and leading work to provide legal assistance to internally displaced persons.

Following the International Development Secretary’s announcement of £100 million at United Nations General Assembly, total United Kingdom funding in response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the region now stands at £700 million. Of this, over 50 per cent has been allocated to projects managed by non-governmental organisations. Due to the structure of our funding, the fluidity of the situation, and the resulting need for flexibility, it is not possible to give an exact breakdown of the amount assigned to such projects, however we remain committed to supporting capacity building of local civil society in the longer term.

We are deeply concerned by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Iraq. DFID deployed an advisory team to Erbil in June 2014 to conduct a rapid humanitarian assessment and has committed £5 million of humanitarian aid to respond to the level of need in the north of Iraq. This will be distributed to those most in need through trusted and long-standing humanitarian partners.

We are increasingly alarmed by the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, exacerbated by the continued closure of the Lachin corridor. It is crucial that the ICJ order of February 2023 is respected to ensure unimpeded movement along the Lachin corridor in both directions. The UK Government has publicly highlighted the importance of re-opening the Lachin corridor and addressing related humanitarian issues, including at the United Nations Security Council in New York on 16 August 2023 and at the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe in Vienna on 12 September 2023.

The UK Government is clear that there is no military solution to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. We continue to raise the urgent need to resolve the conflict through negotiations in direct talks with the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides, as well as at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the United Nations Security Council. We urge both sides to redouble their efforts to make progress in internationally mediated negotiations, including by making provisions to protect the rights and security of the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh.

We are aware that some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have faced difficulties in India due to the use of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) by the Government of India. We understand that some NGOs have had applications to renew their foreign funding licenses rejected, and that such actions have a significant impact on their ability to operate in India. We have discussed issues facing NGOs with the Government of India, and we continue to monitor developments relating to the FCRA, especially its impact on the work of British NGOs in India.

Our network in India continue to monitor developments related to religious conversions, including legislation. The UK Government is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all and promoting respect and tolerance between communities. We have a broad and deep partnership with the Government of India, and we discuss all elements of our relationship, including concerns where we have them. These topics were among issues I (Minister for South Asia) discussed with the Government of India, leaders of faith groups and others during my recent visit to India (27-31 May).

The British High Commission in New Delhi regularly assesses human rights across India and engages with civil society and religious representatives. We remain committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all and promoting respect and tolerance between communities. The UK Government has a broad and deep partnership with the Government of India, and we discuss all elements of our relationship, including concerns where we have them. These topics were among issues I (Minister for South Asia) discussed with the Government of India, leaders of faith groups and others during my recent visit to India (27-31 May).

The British High Commission in New Delhi regularly assesses human rights across India and engages with civil society and religious representatives. We remain committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all and promoting respect and tolerance between communities. The UK Government has a broad and deep partnership with the Government of India, and we discuss all elements of our relationship, including concerns where we have them. These topics were among issues I (Minister for South Asia) discussed with the Government of India, leaders of faith groups and others during my recent visit to India (27-31 May).

On 22 and 23 February, the Minister for Europe, Leo Docherty MP, met Azerbaijani counterparts in Baku including their Foreign Minister to discuss progress on peace discussions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This followed previous discussions in London with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister on 6 February, the Armenian Ambassador on 7 February, the Azerbaijani Ambassador on 30 January and the Armenian Foreign Minister on 18 January. The Minister will travel to Yerevan in the next month to continue these discussions. The UK Government remains committed to supporting Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a sustainable and peaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

We are following former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili's treatment during his imprisonment closely. Our Ambassador to Georgia has met members of Mr Saakashvili's family to discuss his detention on two occasions. The FCDO raised his treatment with the Georgian Ambassador to London on 2 November, and Embassy officials also met representatives of the United National Movement political party to discuss his health, most recently on 2 and 14 December. Mr Saakashvili's case was also discussed in a meeting between our Ambassador to Georgia and Prime Minister Garibashvili on 15 December. We have repeatedly emphasised that Mr Saakashvili should receive treatment in line with international human rights standards, and urged that any further court hearings are in line with due process and the rule of law.

Since November 2020 humanitarian access to Tigray has been severely limited causing devastating impact on food security, access to care, and essential services. Limited access has also made data gathering and verification challenging. The UN estimates 13 million people require food assistance in Ethiopia due to the conflict in the north. As of mid-2022, humanitarian surveys in Tigray estimated malnutrition remained alarmingly high, with 55-80 percent of pregnant women and new mothers and up to 30 percent of children affected by malnutrition. Risks of mortality continue, exacerbated by lean seasons, erosion of coping capacities and blockage of basic services.

The UK welcomed the report of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) and co-sponsored the resolution renewing the Commission's mandate at the 51st Session of the Human Rights Council on 22 September. We are appalled by the reports of widespread human rights violations and abuses in Ethiopia committed by all sides to the conflict, which in some cases are likely to amount to war crimes. It is important that survivors receive comprehensive support and perpetrators are held to account. We are urging all parties to cooperate with the Commission's investigations. Our Embassies in Addis Ababa and Asmara have raised these reports with the Ethiopian and Eritrean Governments, and the former Minister for Development did so with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke on 19 October while visiting Ethiopia.

The UN estimates 13 million people in northern Ethiopia, at least half children, require food assistance. As of mid-2022, humanitarian surveys in Tigray indicated up to 30 percent of children malnourished and nearly 6 percent were severely malnourished. Risks of mortality continue, exacerbated by lean seasons, erosion of coping capacities and blockage of basic services. As of September 2022, it was estimated that 1.8 million children in Tigray were out of school, out of a total 2.4 million children in the region. Due to the pandemic, conflict, and drought, many may have been fully or partially out of school for three years.

There have been multiple reports of civilian casualties due to airstrikes and artillery fire, and the death of yet another humanitarian worker. We have urged all parties to the conflict to prioritise the lives of ordinary people by agreeing to an immediate cessation of hostilities and guaranteeing humanitarian access to all parts of northern Ethiopia. We have also urged the Eritrean Government to withdraw its forces from Tigray. Our Embassies in Addis Ababa and Asmara have pressed these points with the Ethiopian and Eritrean Governments, and the former Minister for Development did so with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke on 19 October while visiting Ethiopia.

The UK Government has made no assessment on the treatment of conscientious objectors by the authorities in Azerbaijan and has not engaged with the Azerbaijani Government on this issue.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the UK Government has suspended all engagement with the Russian authorities except on a very limited number of issues including the Ukraine crisis. As such, the UK Government currently has no plans to engage directly with the Government of Russia on the situation in the South Caucasus.

The UK Government is aware of these assertions. In calls with Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov on 15 and 17 September respectively, the Minister of State for Europe, Minister Docherty, reinforced the need for a cessation of hostilities and a return to substantive negotiations to settle all outstanding matters between the parties.

The UK Government is aware of these assertions. In calls with Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov on 15 and 17 September respectively, the Minister of State for Europe, Minister Docherty, reinforced the need for a cessation of hostilities and a return to substantive negotiations to settle all outstanding matters between the parties.

The UK Government has not made a formal assessment of the impact that arms sales from Turkey to Azerbaijan have had on the stability of the South Caucasus. We continue to engage with the Government of Turkey on supporting international negotiation efforts to secure stability and security in the South Caucasus.

The UK Government condemns the recent violence along the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In calls with the Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov on 15 and 17 September respectively, the Minister of State for Europe, Minister Docherty, reinforced the need for a cessation of hostilities and a return to substantive negotiations to settle all outstanding matters between the parties. The UK will continue to work with both parties in the coming months to support efforts to secure regional stability and security.