Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, in addition to recently announced humanitarian assistance, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the immediate and the long-term development needs in Zimbabwe are met after Cyclone Idai.

The UK has committed £2.45 million which will go towards supporting water and sanitation, child protection and cash grants in cyclone affected areas. In addition UK will continue to focus on poverty reduction, humanitarian assistance including helping people to cope with pre-existing drought and economic crisis.

In addition to the recently announced humanitarian assistance, UK Aid operates an extensive programme in Zimbabwe, working to support the poorest and most vulnerable as well as at the same time helping lay the foundations for a more prosperous, peaceful and democratic Zimbabwe, driving growth and poverty reduction. DFID’s priorities in Zimbabwe are:

• Strengthening peace, democracy, and good governance
• Promoting economic reform and prosperity
• Strengthening resilience and responding to crises
• Supporting basic services for the poorest and most vulnerable