Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance his Department is providing to the three million civilians trapped among Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham fighters in Syria.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The UK remains deeply concerned for the three million people living in Idlib governorate, the majority of which is currently controlled by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS). DFID is working closely with UN and NGO partners to deliver life-saving assistance such as food, shelter and healthcare to the most vulnerable people across Idlib, including those who have been displaced by recent escalations in violence. In 2018/19, we provided over £80 million to support such humanitarian activities in Northwest Syria. Our programmes across Syria have extensive controls in place to ensure that aid delivered by DFID-funded partners reaches those who need it and does not benefit extremist groups such as HTS.
In addition to our humanitarian effort, the UK continues to use our position in the UN Security Council to advocate for the protection of all civilians, aid workers and journalists in Syria, and was instrumental in convening two emergency UN sessions on Idlib on 10 and 17 May. Most recently, at a meeting of the UN Security Council on 28 May, the UK called for the Syrian regime to abide by international law and for all parties to adhere to agreed ceasefires and cessations of hostilities in Idlib.
Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the UK Government takes to ensure that UK aid is not used to support military, security and intelligence authorities in Pakistan allegedly involved in the enforced disappearance of people in that country.
Answered by Alistair Burt
HMG makes robust use of oversees security and justice assessment (OSJAs) process to manage any risks arising from security and justice assistance delivered overseas.
The UK’s work in Pakistan is focused on peace and stability, making democracy work, jobs and growth and providing basic services.
Across Government, through the Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF) UK aid is used to support the reform of justice institutions and the development of provincial rule of law strategies, improving Pakistan’s capacity to counter terrorism, deal with organised crime, supporting the work of civilian and military agencies to handle Improvised Explosive Devices, and strengthening Mutual Legal Assistance.
Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what consultation his Department has undertaken with local communities prior to activities being (a) finalised and (b) implemented under her Department's Pakistan Economic Corridors Programme.
Answered by Alistair Burt
Local communities are consulted prior to road projects being finalised. Asian Development Bank (ADB) consultants engage communities in preparing Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plans which ensure compensation for displacement and loss of livelihoods. During implementation ADB experts continue to consult communities and ensure the activities are delivered using the ADB’s environmental and social policies. Local communities are also consulted on design and implementation of community centres constructed along improved roads.
Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with the Bangladeshi Government on the protection of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from the effects of the monsoon season; and (a) with whom she had and (b) what the outcome was of those discussions.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Development wrote to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 20 March 2018. The UK recognised Bangladesh’s strong national track record in cyclone and monsoon preparedness and response, and asked that this expertise be applied to the Rohingya response and that options are provided for people to move to land that is at a lower risk of flooding. UK Ministers and officials continue to liaise with Government of Bangladesh counterparts on this issue.
Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department tracks the proposal and adoption of legislation in developing countries that may affect the operation of NGOs.
Answered by Rory Stewart
In November 2016 DFID published its Civil Society Partnership Review which recognises that civil society is facing unprecedented pressure around the world. It commits to robustly defending the rights of civil society and standing alongside civil society to prevent encroachments to freedom of expression and association.
DFID works closely with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and other development partners to monitor the human rights situation in its focus countries.
Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 1 December 2017 to Question 54679, whether her Department has made representations to the Government of Sierra Leone on the provisions in the draft revised NGO Policy Regulations which may contravene constitutional and international standards on freedom of association.
Answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm
DFID continues to engage in discussions with NGOs and the government on the NGO policy.
Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 1 December 2016 to Question 54679, if her Department will make representations to the Government of Sierra Leone on publishing the detailed technical assessment of the draft revised Non-Governmental Organisation Policy Regulations produced by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law.
Answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm
The report by International Centre for Not-for-Profit Law was produced for the Government of Sierra Leone as a contribution towards their development of the new draft Non-Governmental Organisation policy. It is for the Government of Sierra Leone to decide whether to publish this report.
Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 1 December 2016 to Question 54679, which domestic human rights organisations in Sierra Leone the Government has consulted on the Government of Sierra Leone's draft revised Non-Government Organisation Policy Regulations.
Answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm
The Government of Sierra Leone has run a series of consultations on the draft NGO policy regulations over the last two years. We do not have a list of the organisations that have participated.
Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what reports she has received on (a) a proposed revision to the 2009 NGO Policy Regulations by the government of Sierra Leone and (b) the views of civil society organisations on that proposed revision.
Answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm
The Government of Sierra Leone is consulting on revising the NGO policy guidelines. The DFID team in Sierra Leone is talking to the government, other development partners and civil society organisations. Civil society organisations we have engaged accept that government should have adequate oversight of their work, particularly where they are being funded to support government programmes and objectives. They are keen to work with government to ensure that new administrative requirements, fees and taxes are appropriate and proportionate. It will be important that the guidelines strike the right balance.
Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support her Department is giving to Eastern Kachin and Northern Shan states in Burma.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
The UK has provided over £18.1 million in essential humanitarian and health assistance in Kachin and Northern Shan states from 2012 until the end of the last financial year, and plans to spend at least a further £5 million this year. DFID is the biggest contributor to the multi donor funds working in these areas to improve food security, and to provide maternal, new-born and child health care services including immunisation, prevention of HIV among people, Malaria testing and treatment. DFID also provides significant support to education in Kachin and Northern Shan, through UNICEF and the Myanmar Education Consortium.