Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Virendra Sharma and Andrew Mitchell

Wednesday 16th February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Mitchell]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We cannot even begin to address development without realising the centrality of girls and women in every aspect of what we do, and we share his aspirations for the role of UN Women within the international structures.

[Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (Lab)]

7. What recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Virendra Sharma and Andrew Mitchell

Wednesday 2nd June 2010 Commons Chamber

[The Secretary of State for International Development (Mr Andrew Mitchell)]

Of £140 million in assistance to Pakistan between April 2009 and March 2010, my Department provided £40.2 million in humanitarian aid for people displaced by conflict in federally administered tribal areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The UK’s humanitarian assistance targets those most in need, regardless of population group, following internationally agreed principles of neutrality and impartiality.

[Mr Sharma]

I thank the Secretary of State for his response, and I add my congratulations to him on his appointment as Secretary of State and to his team. Does he agree that it is not only essential to win hearts and minds among the general populace, but vital to try to assist minority groups in those regions through our aid efforts?

[Mr Mitchell]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question and underline the point that I made in my answer—that our humanitarian assistance targets those most in need, following internationally agreed principles of neutrality and impartiality. I can tell him that I shall shortly be going to Pakistan, and I shall look very specifically at the point that he has made. I can tell him also that since the 2008 conflict, the UK has given humanitarian support, providing shelter, food, health care, clean water and sanitation in order to help people recover their livelihoods when they return to their home. I know that that has been a matter of concern to him.