Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many projects sponsored by her Department are targeted at (a) cholera (b) diptheria and (c) violence against women.

The number of DFID-funded programmes that target cholera fluctuates as we respond to rapidly changing needs. In recent months, DFID has supported responses to outbreaks of cholera in Yemen, DRC, Nigeria and South Sudan. DFID also helps to address cholera through funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Gavi and to research organisations such as the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Bangladesh.

Two recent or current DFID programmes have targeted diphtheria: (1) The DFID-funded UK Emergency Medical Team (EMT) recently provided treatment for diphtheria in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh and DFID also provided £2 million to vaccinate children against diphtheria. (2) DFID helps to make the pentavalent vaccine available in developing countries through the UK’s ongoing contribution to Gavi. This vaccine provides protection against five diseases, one of which is diphtheria. Other DFID programmes that strengthen health systems or support basic water, sanitation and health services also help to tackle cholera and diphtheria.

Since 2014 DFID has supported over 150 projects with significant elements focusing on the prevention of violence against women and girls, or support to survivors. 25 of these are wholly targeted at eliminating violence against women and girls.