Tag: humanitarian assistance

Bishop of Southwark asks about the blockade of the Lachin corridor between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answers on 26th January 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the blockade of the Lachin corridor since 12 December 2022 on the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh; and what humanitarian assistance they are providing in response.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): The UK Government has made clear that the closure of the Lachin corridor risks severe humanitarian consequences, particularly during winter. Officials have met with humanitarian agencies, including the ICRC, to discuss the situation. The START FUND, to which the UK is a significant donor, has allocated £350,000 to support those affected by the closure of the Lachin Corridor. UK officials remain in touch with humanitarian partners to monitor the situation. The Minister for Europe issued a statement highlighting the importance of re-opening the Lachin corridor on 13 December and our Ambassadors in the region and other senior UK officials have reinforced this message with key interlocutors. We also called for an early resolution to this issue in our interventions in Vienna at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe on 15 December and in New York at the UN Security Council on 20 December.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about aid to Afghanistan

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 7th July 2022:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much aid they have provided to Afghanistan since 1 January.

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Bishop of Coventry asks about cooperation with European partners when responding to humanitarian issues

The Bishop of Coventry asked a question on European cooperation in the event of humanitarian crises caused by conflict, climate change, and other issues on 21st February 2023, during a debate on foreign policy and defence cooperation:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, given the Minister for Europe’s comments yesterday that the conflict in Ukraine could lead to 5 million refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries, what forms of co-operation are Her Majesty’s Government preparing with European partners in response to this looming humanitarian crisis and other catastrophes on the world stage, caused through conflict, climate change or whatever?

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Bishop of Durham asks about humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan

The Bishop of Durham asked a question on refugees fleeing the country during a debate on the ongoing humanitarian situation in Afghanistan on 9th February 2022:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, it is very good how much is being given. Operation Herrick cost us at least £22 billion and we managed to find that, so I hope we can release more generous aid rapidly. There is also a humanitarian issue for Afghans who have been freed and are now here but whose families are still in hiding for fear in Afghanistan. Can the Minister update us on how those people are going to be got out of Afghanistan?

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Archbishop of Canterbury asks about humanitarian support for Ukraine

The Archbishop of Canterbury asked a question on the government’s plans for humanitarian support in the event of conflict in Ukraine, during a debate on the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia on 26th January 2022:

The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: First, I associate myself with, particularly, the wise comments of the noble Lord, Lord Cormack. Having listened to the questions, does the noble Baroness the Leader agree that mediation and diplomacy should be pursued until the last moment, seeking to find ways to give both sides the opportunity to withdraw—particularly the Russians from their completely unjustified threats? The one thing we can be sure of is that, once war starts, all control of the situation will be completely lost, possibly for years, and the casualties will be terrible. Secondly, what provision are the Government making, should the worst come to the worst, to support the very large number of refugees and the huge needs for humanitarian support that will inevitably be part of fighting in the late winter in eastern Europe?

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Bishop of Chichester asks about humanitarian concerns in Cameroon

The Bishop of Chichester received the following written answers on 11th October 2021:

The Lord Bishop of Chichester asked Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Cameroon about ensuring the legal protection of (1) human rights defenders, and (2) civil society activists, in that country.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con, Foreign Office): The UK Government remains deeply concerned about the crisis in the North-West and South-West (Anglophone) regions of Cameroon, including the disturbing reports of human rights abuses and violations by both armed separatists and the security forces. In a visit to Cameroon in March, the previous Minister for Africa met President Biya, Prime Minister Ngute and Foreign Minister Mbella Mbella, where he set out the UK’s commitment to supporting a peaceful resolution.

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Archbishop of York asks about humanitarian situation in Sudan and Tigray

The Lord Archbishop of York received the following written answers on 1st February 2021:

The Lord Archbishop of York asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports of human rights abuses in Tigray; and what support they are providing (1) to the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, (2) to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and (3) to the African Union, to (a) investigate, and (b) document, such abuses.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about humanitarian situation in Tigray

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 1st February 2021:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government, further to the report by the UNOCHA Ethiopia—Tigray Region Humanitarian Update Situation Report, published on 6 January, what assessment they have made of reports of (1) food shortages, (2) looting, (3) sexual violence, and (3) damage to cultural heritage, in Tigray.

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Bishop of St Albans asks Government to step up humanitarian aid in Tikrit

On 10th March 2015 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Rev Alan Smith, asked a question in the House of Lords on humanitarian assistance for the people of Tikrit, Iraq. He followed it with a supplementary question to the Minister. Those exchanges, along with a transcript of all subsequent questions on the same by Peers, are below. 

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the statement by the United Nations that 28,000 civilians have been displaced from the city of Tikrit by the actions of Islamic State, what plans they have to increase the provision of humanitarian aid to the conflict area. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government to step up humanitarian aid in Tikrit”

Bishop of Derby – South Sudan (Written Answer)

On 1st December 2014, the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern, received an answer to a written question on South Sudan.
DerbyThe Lord Bishop of Derby: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with other donor countries about the case for innovative funding arrangements to meet long-term humanitarian needs in South Sudan. [HL2868]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development (Baroness Northover): The UK has led conversations with other donors on improving linkages between humanitarian and development programmes, and ways to increase self-sufficiency and resilience among populations who are in need of humanitarian assistance. With our partners we are looking to fast track and implement innovative ways to stimulate markets to address food insecurity and build livelihoods, link development programmes in health and education with humanitarian provision of these services, and improve co-ordination in-country between humanitarian and development planning and provision. Continue reading “Bishop of Derby – South Sudan (Written Answer)”