Tag: humanitarian aid

Bishop of Coventry asks about UK aid to Yemen and arms sales to Saudi Arabia

The Bishop of Coventry asked a question on UK aid to Yemen and government policies on arms sales to Saudi Arabia on 10th February 2021, following a government statement on the humanitarian situation in Yemen:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, the United Nations predicts that the number of Yemenis experiencing famine-like conditions will reach 47,000 by June, nearly triple that of December. In the light of the signals that US policy towards Yemen is changing, as we have heard, and the upcoming aid review, will the Government commit to at least maintaining their current aid commitments to Yemen? Further to earlier questions, does the Minister agree that the public find it hard to understand how the Government intend to reconcile their role of being both arms seller to Saudi Arabia and peacemaker and aid-giver in Yemen?

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Bishop of Coventry asks about voices of UK Overseas Territories at COP 26

The Bishop of Coventry asked a question on ensuring representation of voices from UK Overseas Territories at COP 26 on 9th February 2021, following a discussion on the preparedness of these territories for humanitarian and disaster relief operations:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, climate change is the context in which this conversation is happening. Given the marine diversity and repository of so much of the world’s biodiversity in the overseas territories, how will the Government ensure that the voices of the overseas territories will be amplified in the forthcoming COP 26 summit?

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Mental health, Armenia, gambling, Ethiopia

On 18th January 2021 in the House of Lords the Bishop of Bristol asked a question about mental health, the Bishop of Coventry asked about Armenian heritage.

Meanwhile the Bishop of St Albans and the Archbishop of York received written answers to questions on gambling-related harm and Ethiopia.

Full text below.

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Bishop of Salisbury asks Government about overseas aid for Sudan and South Sudan

On 13th July Lord Chidgey asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of the impact of (1) the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) desert locusts, on food security in countries in east Africa, and in particular in (a) Sudan, and (b) South Sudan”. The Rt Revd Nick Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury asked a follow up question, focusing on overseas aid.

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury: With the economy of Sudan collapsing and inflation rocketing, the Anglican Archbishop of Khartoum said recently that people would rather die of Covid-19 than of hunger. In South Sudan the Anglican Archbishop of Juba said that mortality rates were already high and, in response to the virus, hygiene and social isolation are difficult—indeed, almost impossible. The diocese of Salisbury has a long-standing partnership with the Anglican churches in those countries and we have launched an emergency appeal this month for at least £50,000 for hygiene and food. What are the British Government doing to support the improvement of hygiene and food in those countries? What does the Minister think we are learning about the motivation for our giving aid to these countries?

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Archbishop asks Government about involvement of faith-based organisations in refugee camp support

On 20th May 2020, Lord Collins of Highbury asked the Government “what assessment they have made of the response of international institutions to the impact of COVID-19 on refugee camps”. The Archbishop of Canterbury asked a follow-up question:

The Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, the Minister will be aware of the Global Humanitarian Response Plan published by the UN and updated this month, which emphasises “The importance of involving and supporting local organizations … given the key role they are playing in this crisis.” In all areas where the world’s 70 million displaced people gather, faith groups and especially churches are often the only remaining organisations with reach from grass roots to leaders, but they are often ignored by international and relief agencies. In many cases, shortage of money and logistics hamper food distribution. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that faith-based local groups are fully involved by all international agencies in all aspects of relief, reconciliation and moral and spiritual support?

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Bishop of Worcester asks about UK contribution to UN Covid-19 response plan

Official_portrait_of_The_Lord_Bishop_of_Worcester_crop_2On 13th May, the Rt Revd John Inge, Bishop of Worcester, received a written answer from Baroness Sugg on financial assistant the Government has given to the UN COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan.

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: HL3570 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what financial assistance they (1) have made, and (2) intend to make, to the United Nations COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan.

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Bishop of Leeds asks Government to support halt on debt repayments for low-income developing countries during Covid-19 pandemic

On 12th May, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, received a written answer from Baroness Sugg on debt incurred because of COVID-19.

Bishop Nick Baines

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: HL3474 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the letter published in the Financial Times on 14 April, and signed by 18 African and European leaders, which called for an immediate moratorium on all bilateral and multilateral debt payments, both public and private, until the COVID-19 pandemic has passed; and what plans they have, if any, to support that request.

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Bishop of Leeds asks Government about suspending debt of developing countries during pandemic

Bishop Nick BainesOn 12th May, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, received a written answer from Baroness Sugg on the debt of developing countries.

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: HL3476 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with other G20 leaders to extend the agreement reached on 15 April, to suspend debt payments owed by 77 of the world’s poorest countries, to include the (1) the World Bank, and (2) the African Development Bank.

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Bishop of Winchester asks Government about response to food insecurity in Africa due to Covid-19

800px-Official_portrait_of_The_Lord_Bishop_of_Winchester_(cropped)On 12th May, the Rt Revd Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester received a written answer from Baroness Sugg on a question about the World Food Programme in Africa.

Bishop of Winchester: HL3568 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what additional financial support and assistance they are providing the World Food Programme to develop an effective response to the risk of food insecurity in Africa.

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Bishop of Coventry asks Government what support they will give to those who depend on food aid during pandemic

Official_portrait_of_The_Lord_Bishop_of_Coventry_crop_2,_2019On 12th May the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry, received a written answer to a question from Baroness Sugg on what steps the Government is taking to ensure those around the world dependent on humanitarian assistance for food are supported.

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: HL3766 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help people around the world who are dependent on humanitarian assistance for food, particularly in relation to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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