Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Muslim charities who are able to reach those in need in Afghanistan about the provision of aid.

Since April 2021, we disbursed over £176 million - £166 million for life-saving humanitarian support inside Afghanistan, including for emergency food, health, nutrition, shelter, water and sanitation, and mine action, and £10 million in neighbouring countries to support new and existing refugees and host communities to support regional stability. Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) have been, and will remain, vital partners for delivering essential assistance in Afghanistan. We deliver through United Nation (UN) agencies and NGOs who have a track record of delivering in challenging circumstances. We are working with them to assess the changing situation on the ground and assess needs.

Ministers and officials have met frequently with humanitarian NGOs and representatives of vulnerable groups. They are in regular touch with our partners to discuss the situation on the ground and address any obstacles to aid getting through. I [Lord Ahmad] met Deborah Lyons, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan before her recent visit to Kabul.