Extracts from International Development questions - Nov 21
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Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con) 7. What steps her Department is
taking to ensure that UK aid is allocated to where it is most
needed. [907731] The Minister of State, Department for
International Development (Harriett Baldwin) UK aid is allocated
based on need, to help to end extreme poverty by 2030 and to
achieve the UN’s global goals....Request free trial
7. What steps her Department is taking to ensure that UK aid is allocated to where it is most needed. [907731] UK aid is allocated based on need, to help to end extreme poverty by 2030 and to achieve the UN’s global goals. Last week, Hamas terrorists in Gaza fired as many as 460 rockets towards Israeli civilian communities. Does the Minister share my concern that Hamas’s continued misuse of international aid worsens the suffering of the people of Gaza? How can she be sure that UK taxpayers’ money is reaching those who need it most?
Of course the UK Government strongly condemn Hamas’s rocket
firing and are deeply concerned about the civilian
casualties. My right hon. Friend is absolutely right that
the UK has zero tolerance and needs to be constantly
vigilant. We do not fund Hamas, of course, but we need to
be extremely careful to ensure that UK aid reaches the
intended beneficiaries. Palestine Refugees4. What recent representations her Department has made to the (a) EU and (b) World Bank on funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees in the near east. [907728] The UK has made official-level representations to the EU and World Bank over the past three months on the position of UNRWA. We will continue to work with UNRWA and our international partners to help ensure essential services are maintained, despite the United States’ withdrawal of funding. Given that President Trump can now in no way be considered an honest broker in this matter, is it not time that Britain stepped up to the plate and led? Will the Government consider hosting a donor conference to make up the shortfall in funding? Further, will they support my Palestinian statehood Bill, which I will be introducing to the House later today? On the hon. Lady’s second point, she will be aware that the recognition of Palestine remains a matter for the United Kingdom’s judgment in the best interests of peace and the peace process, and we hold to that. On support for UNRWA, we continue to work with other donors and urge them to step in to assist in filling the gap in funding. We have done that with other states and we are doing that with the EU and the World Bank. We will continue to do so. We have increased our contribution this year to £57.5 million to help vulnerable Palestinians in relation to health and education. We will continue to support UNRWA. In June last year, UNRWA discovered a major terrorist tunnel under two of its schools in Gaza. What support can the UK give to UNRWA to ensure that its neutrality is not violated, and that its resources do not get misappropriated? Bearing in mind UNRWA’s particular position, particularly in Gaza, we know—I have discussed this with senior directors at UNRWA—it is absolutely essential that it maintains the integrity of its operation. When others have abused that in trying to disguise schools as places where terrorist activity could be hidden, it is essential that it deals with that. We will continue to give it every support in finding that out. |