United Nations World Humanitarian Summit Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Department for International Development

United Nations World Humanitarian Summit

Baroness Coussins Excerpts
Wednesday 2nd December 2015

(8 years, 4 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Baroness Verma Portrait Baroness Verma
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My noble friend again addresses a real, serious issue—one we recognised when we had to deal with the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone. Our ambition for the summit is one of radical change to humanitarian action. We need much more efficiency, effectiveness and accountability in our responses and the responses of others, including a much-strengthened professional humanitarian workforce.

Baroness Coussins Portrait Baroness Coussins (CB)
- Hansard - -

My Lords, given what the noble Baroness said about the importance of protecting civilians in conflict, will Her Majesty’s Government think again about supporting a United Nations resolution to protect interpreters working in conflict zones, to put them on the same footing as journalists, who are already protected by such measures?

Baroness Verma Portrait Baroness Verma
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, I think the noble Baroness’s question has been raised before. I am not able to respond to her at this moment. Will she allow me to write to her?