Asked by: Luke Hall (Conservative - Thornbury and Yate)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring international NGOs to consider religious vulnerability in their definition of need.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
All DFID partners carry out comprehensive vulnerability assessments to ensure aid is reaching those most in need, including those from religious minorities as it is already recognised that religion may be a factor in causing vulnerability. We continue to discuss the treatment of minorities with the UN, our humanitarian partners and minority representatives.
Asked by: Luke Hall (Conservative - Thornbury and Yate)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that UK aid reaches persecuted Christians.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
The UK Aid Strategy commits the UK to be the lead on the “Leave No One Behind” promise. Our analysis of poverty and vulnerability looks at a range of factors that lead to exclusion including religious identity. Humanitarian assistance is provided on need, irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity and we work to ensure that aid reaches the most vulnerable including those from religious minorities.
We work closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office who lead on the protection of freedom of religion and religious minorities.