Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Christian, Yazidi and Shia minorities in Iraq are considered as vulnerable people in terms of UK humanitarian assistance; and if so, how this status is factored into UK aid programming both in Iraq and countries hosting refugees from these communities.

The UK Government recognises the vulnerability of religious minorities in Iraq. DFID’s funding for Iraq and host countries of Iraqi refugees is based on humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality; and we aim to ensure that no one is excluded or discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, or religion, that the specific risks facing minorities are addressed and that our assistance reaches those who need it most, including vulnerable people from minority communities such as Yazidis, Shia and Christians. DFID regularly challenges our partners in Iraq and host countries of Iraqi refugees to demonstrate that they are doing all they can to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people, including those from religious minorities. We welcome information from all sources to help us to hold them to account.