Asked by: Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region to ensure that aid convoys are permitted and facilitated, and that humanitarian workers, journalists, and staff of relief and aid organisations are permitted entry into the region of Northern Syria and Rojava.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UK has raised the issue with the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Presidential Office, and strongly encouraged the free movement of humanitarian aid. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and to do all we can to ensure the provision of humanitarian access.
Asked by: Lord Hylton (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of why representatives of the cantons of Rojava were not invited to the recent conference of Syrian opposition groups in Riyadh, and whether they will call for their inclusion in any future meetings.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Kurds will play an important role in a political settlement for Syria. Members of all major communities of Syrian society participated in the Riyadh Opposition Conference. This included minorities such as the Kurds in the major political parties. Opposition representatives agreed to form a “High Negotiating Committee” to negotiate with the Syrian regime, under the auspices of the UN. The International Syria Support Group has agreed that protecting the rights of all Syrians regardless of ethnicity or religious domination is fundamental. The UK will continue to advocate this, as the political discussions continue.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Independent - Edmonton)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the humanitarian needs of people living in Rojava; and what steps her Department is taking to meet such needs.
Answered by Desmond Swayne
Provision of humanitarian aid is prioritised through joint UN and NGO needs assessments, which aim to identify which populations are most in need, where they are located and what their key support needs are. We are watching the latest developments in the cantons of Afrin, Kobane and Jazira closely, and continue to call on all sides of the conflict to respect International Humanitarian Law and protect civilians. DFID is providing humanitarian assistance through our support to the UN appeal for Syria, including provision of food to affected cities in both Afrin and Hassakeh.
To date, the UK has pledged £1 billion in response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the region, of which £500 million has been allocated to support people inside Syria.