Ministers will also discuss the former Yugoslavia and the Community's response to the latest developments, including the Humanitarian Crisis.

secondly, the presence of British troops operating in what was Yugoslavia, the circumstances that surround their deployment, and how we can tackle the Humanitarian Crisis that they and we face; thirdly, how we hope to bring about a political settlement in what was Yugoslavia.

We shall maintain strong pressure on the Government of Sudan to improve their performance in areas of concern to us, especially human rights and the alleviation of the Humanitarian Crisis.

The root cause of the Humanitarian Crisis is the civil war which has wracked the country for so long.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd: The security of humanitarian aid supplies to Bosnia is kept under continuous review in concert with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees who coordinates the international community's response to the Humanitarian Crisis and the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) who are responsible for providing protection for the aid convoys.

Mr. Douglas Hogg: It is one of the roles of the WEU to provide for a European instrument of reaction in cases where, due to the dimension or urgency of a Humanitarian Crisis or the need for military protection, military rather than civilian means must be employed.

We wonder about the time scale, because there is a Humanitarian Crisis.

If we think that that can be done safely, taking into account the security of our armed forces, and that there is an ability to deal successfully with This Humanitarian Crisis, it must be right, if we can do something, to do it.

I do not want to enter the wider discussion about UNESCO, but the information that I have given the House demonstrates that our non-membership of UNESCO is in no way inhibiting, preventing or limiting our ability to assist in the Humanitarian Crisis.

We deplore the SLORC policies which are at the root of This Humanitarian Crisis.

This has created a Humanitarian Crisis along the west coast of Africa and beyond and the litany of suffering, destitution and degradation encountered by Sierra Leonean refugees would bring tears to your eyes…we were impelled to do something on their behalf.

Our current assessment is that although the situation is extremely serious, it does not constitute an Humanitarian Crisis.

The United Nations said today that it needed US$109 million to deal immediately with the Humanitarian Crisis.

otherwise, the war will cause a continuing threat of Humanitarian Crisis.

I am particularly concerned that the international community should take full advantage of the recently announced temporary ceasefire in the Bahr el Ghazal region of southern Sudan, and that we should seek to build on that to reach a negotiated settlement in Sudan, which is the real answer; otherwise, the war will cause a continuing threat of Humanitarian Crisis.

What should animate us all is the Humanitarian Crisis among the refugees in the hillside.

With a mandate from the IGAD partners forum, I visited Nairobi and Khartoum from 13 to 16 July to discuss the possibilities of securing a break in the fighting in the areas most affected by the Humanitarian Crisis.

Is the Secretary of State aware that an Humanitarian Crisis, no matter how grave, is no excuse for sloppy government?

We are therefore working with the UN and others to improve the delivery of aid at the same time as pressing all sides to work towards a peaceful settlement to the civil war—the only long-term solution to the Humanitarian Crisis.

Peace is the only long-term solution to the Humanitarian Crisis.

The embargo was introduced as a result of the ongoing civil war in Sudan, the lack of any movement towards a peaceful settlement to the conflict and the resulting Humanitarian Crisis.

The whole thrust of the talks that are taking place between the parties at Rambouillet, and the fact that we have summoned them together and they have come, is a clear signal that we are not willing to accept the kind of atrocities that have taken place or the kind of Humanitarian Crisis that was threatened before the end of last year.

In the event that we are faced again with a Humanitarian Crisis as a result of excessive military repression in Kosovo - if, once again, we are faced with tens of thousands of refugees on the hillsides, or if, once again, we are faced with innocent civilians being executed at close range, with no suggestion that that was happening in fighting - I do not believe that my right hon. Friend's constituents or those of any other hon. Member would understand it if we did not respond.

It is important that we not only save lives and relieve suffering following a Humanitarian Crisis but also reduce risks and vulnerability to future crises.

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is absolute unanimity in the House and the country about the scale of the Humanitarian Crisis in Kosovo?

Is the Deputy Prime Minister aware that the only body in the world that can deal with an Humanitarian Crisis is the United Nations itself, by organising a peace conference without the threat or the use of force and providing aid on the necessary scale?

We were left with no other way of preventing the Present Humanitarian Crisis from becoming a catastrophe than by taking military action to limit the capacity of Milosevic's army to repress the Kosovo Albanians.

There can be no doubt that what we have seen in Kosovo is a Humanitarian Crisis.

I say with great sadness that we appear to moving back to a situation in which the UN, in the Security Council, is not able to speak with the clarity that many believe a Humanitarian Crisis demands.

We agree that there is a Terrible Humanitarian Crisis.

We do not think that it would be right to escalate this into a major ground invasion, in which many lives might be lost and the Humanitarian Crisis could be made worse.

On the Humanitarian Crisis, I agree that we must do all that we can to ensure that people can go back in safety at a later date.

I welcome what my right hon. Friend has said about financial aid for the Humanitarian Crisis, but she will recognise that it is only a tiny fraction of what is spent on the war every day.

The British Government are heavily involved in supporting the efforts that are going on to tackle the developing Humanitarian Crisis.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary - whose role in the current events has been exemplary and whose conduct has been praised widely - described NATO's response to the Humanitarian Crisis unleashed by Milosevic and our determination to force Milosevic to comply with the demands of the international community.

A number of hon. Members referred to the Humanitarian Crisis that is now afflicting the countries in and around the Balkans as a result of the expulsion of the Albanians.

NATO will also continue its efforts to relieve the Humanitarian Crisis that Milosevic has cynically provoked in and around Kosovo.

[Relevant documents: Third Report from the International Development Committee, Session 1998–99, on Kosovo: The Humanitarian Crisis (HC 422) and Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 28 April 1999 (HC 188–iii).

We appreciate that there is a Humanitarian Crisis.

The Russian military action in Chechnya is leading to a Humanitarian Crisis on an appalling scale.

As I said when replying to an earlier question from a noble Lord, the situation is such that if, for example, there was a Humanitarian Crisis and NATO was not fully engaged, there might be a possibility of that happening.

It was justified as an exceptional response to a Humanitarian Crisis, and all NATO members agree that the action was necessary and legal.

My Lords, the Minister says that the operations were designed to avert a Humanitarian Crisis.

My Lords, the USAID has been involved with other donors in supporting the Government of Mozambique in terms of the Current Humanitarian Crisis.

While there has not been a Humanitarian Crisis this winter in Serbia, there is some hardship.

Given the gravity of the Humanitarian Crisis, have you, Madam Speaker, had any intimation from the Prime Minister to the effect that he wishes to make a statement in the House about the United Kingdom Government's response, and to explain the failure to act more swiftly?

In the midst of a Humanitarian Crisis for which she has lead ministerial responsibility, she tells the House that it is up to the Ministry of Defence whether it sends helicopters.

My Lords, following on from Mr Caborn's visit, what will be the future policy of ECGD and to what extent does DfID see itself engaged locally in warding off a looming Humanitarian Crisis this winter?

Humanitarian Crisis

Although a Humanitarian Crisis is developing, OLs has been prohibited from bringing in aid, and 40,000 displaced people in Bentiu are mostly in an alarming nutritional state.

The patrols are justified in international law as a legitimate response to prevent a Grave Humanitarian Crisis.

In terms of humanitarian justification, we are entitled to patrol the no-fly zones to prevent a Grave Humanitarian Crisis.

However, does the right hon. Gentleman accept that the longer the Anglo-American strategy of no-fly zones continues, based on legal authority to prevent a Grave Humanitarian Crisis, the flakier it becomes while it is difficult to establish a direct link between the no-fly zones and the stability of the Kurdish autonomous zone and the condition of the Shi" a people in the south?

I very much support the view put forward by the noble Baroness that, until the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is addressed, the Humanitarian Crisis that affects the whole region will carry on.

I know that all noble Lords recognise the importance of speed of response when there is a Humanitarian Crisis.

It is precisely the Humanitarian Crisis that convinces me that our diplomatic, military and intelligence activities simply have to succeed.

Afghanistan was in the grip of a Humanitarian Crisis even before the events of 11th September.

My fourth question to the Leader of the House concerns the Humanitarian Crisis.

That is why, in addition to building the international coalition against terrorism, we are leading international action to address the growing Humanitarian Crisis faced by the Afghan people.

Afghanistan was, of course, in the grip of a Humanitarian Crisis even before the events of11 September.

What advanced planning is under way to deal with the Humanitarian Crisis that is already growing as each day passes?

Prior to the Home Secretary's announcements yesterday, we asked for the Secretary of State for International Development to address the House today on the growing Humanitarian Crisis.

In Afghanistan the two are linked, because so much of the Humanitarian Crisis that we are witnessing is the result of the depredations of the Taliban - but the crisis is wider than that, and if we are to be credible in our fight against terror we must be credible in our fight against humanitarian disaster, too.

The Humanitarian Crisis faced even before the events of11 September by the people of Afghanistan was very real.

International co-operation is vital and is developing further today, but we must not allow strains on that international alliance, if and when military action starts, to affect our attempts to deal with the Humanitarian Crisis that is unfolding and the aid that is already arriving in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Will not action cause a Humanitarian Crisis, perhaps with far worse effects than those of the events in New York and Washington?

I am keen to leave the right hon. Lady the lion's share of the remaining time, as she has indicated her willingness to answer questions on the subject of the Humanitarian Crisis and more generally, and it seems that this will be the last parliamentary occasion that we shall have for a week to put questions through her to the Government.

For years, the international community has tried to deal with the Humanitarian Crisis.

The military action is bound to impede the delivery of aid to those people caught in the Humanitarian Crisis that is mounting in Afghanistan.

We have a common objective with the Afghan people - achieving a stable, durable, representative regime that is committed to eradicating terrorism and to enjoying mature relations with its neighbours, and with which we can work on the Humanitarian Crisis, the drugs trade, human rights and longer-term economic and social development.

We have made it clear that the Humanitarian Crisis is every bit as important as the terrorist threat within Afghanistan.

We have to understand that that is a fact, and the Humanitarian Crisis must be dealt with in the light of it.

So long as their determination to eradicate international terrorism remains undiminished, and so long as their commitment to relieve the Humanitarian Crisis remains to the fore, we will continue to back them.

Perhaps this is an opportunity for countries that are unable to contribute to the military effort to help to confront the Humanitarian Crisis.

We cannot have the Taliban regime remain in power and able to use This Humanitarian Crisis as a reason for warding off the action that we take.

The EC regulation does not allow for certain types of assistance which the Secretary of State may wish to provide under this clause, such as post-emergency rehabilitation and reconstruction, and assistance for displaced people after the Immediate Humanitarian Crisis subsides, including, for example, the reintegration of demobilised former soldiers.

The international community has been trying to deal with the Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan for years.

Like the Minister, I shall address the Humanitarian Crisis.

The scale of the Humanitarian Crisis is huge and we certainly do not underestimate that fact.

It is hard to see how al-Qaeda can be tackled effectively and bin Laden driven from his hiding places, or how we can begin to resolve the mounting Humanitarian Crisis, unless we remove the main obstacle to all those things, which is the Taliban.

For more than 20 years, Afghanistan has been in the grip of a huge Humanitarian Crisis.

I stand here today with a heavy heart because I feel that we are facing an enormous Humanitarian Crisis.

My hon. Friendthe Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) made a powerful speech about the Humanitarian Crisis.

Governments and charitable organisations that are already undertaking invaluable work in attempting to alleviate the Humanitarian Crisis must be supported wholeheartedly and encouraged in their efforts.

Time is against us, so my final point is about the Humanitarian Crisis.

Some critics of the bombing seem to be suggesting that the coalition is somehow trying to colonise Afghanistan; others that the bombing is targeting Afghan civilians; and others that it is creating a Humanitarian Crisis.

I say "further action" because our Government have already taken impressive action to address the Humanitarian Crisis.

On the one hand a military action is being undertaken and on the other there is a Humanitarian Crisis.

On 18 October, I announced a further £15 million package to support the Government of Pakistan in its continuing reforms and in its efforts to alleviate the Humanitarian Crisis for Afghans.

Given the destruction in Afghanistan, even before11 September, it is likely that reconstruction will be a long process, going well beyond the Immediate Humanitarian Crisis.

Osama bin Laden is still at large, and so are his close associates; the diplomatic and political situation remains difficult; and the threat of an Humanitarian Crisis remains.

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct to point out that this is a Humanitarian Crisis that was going on long before 11 September, partly for natural reasons but partly because of the appalling nature of the Taliban regime.

The threat of a Humanitarian Crisis remains.

Turning to the questions asked by the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, our wider objectives are to end the terrorist threat on Afghan soil; to tackle the machinery - his particular point - of terrorism world-wide; to deal with the Immediate Humanitarian Crisis; and thereafter to help to reconstruct Afghanistan society, including - the noble Baroness's particular point - as broadly based a government as we can assist to be brought about.

However, there remain huge challenges - the military job is not yet done; Osama bin Laden is still at large, and so are his close associates; the diplomatic and political situation remains difficult; and the threat of an Humanitarian Crisis remains.

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct to point out that this is a Humanitarian Crisis that was going on long before11 September, partly for natural reasons but partly because of the appalling nature of the Taliban regime.

It must act on the grounds of stopping a Humanitarian Crisis and preventing the creation of yet another unstable and dangerous rogue state.

Resolving the Humanitarian Crisis and the conflict in the Great Lakes is a priority for the UK Government.

The right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Southwark, the noble Earl, Lord Caithness, the noble Viscount, Lord Goschen, and the noble Lord, Lord Howell of Guildford, all spoke about food shortages and the possibility of a Humanitarian Crisis.

The scale of the Humanitarian Crisis has been nowhere near what was predicted by some.

Perhaps I may refer briefly to the Humanitarian Crisis.

There is a Humanitarian Crisis on an unprecedented scale, even for a region where bloodshed has been the constant companion of century-long conflict.

We know that it faces a growing Humanitarian Crisis, as we have heard from my hon. Friends the Members for Banbury (Tony Baldry) and for East Devon (Mr. Swire).

We also stand ready to respond to Any Humanitarian Crisis that may arise.

When the Humanitarian Crisis was first reported in the news media, it was feared that food aid would not get through once the snows came, but, fortunately for the people, winter came late to Afghanistan this year.

I begin with the most fundamental point, which is raised in the characteristically excellent report of the Select Committee on International Development: the Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan began long before11 September.

This is also a chance for the Government of Angola to turn their full attention to addressing the worsening Humanitarian Crisis and the rebuilding of Angola's infrastructure.

I urge the Government to think not only of the Impending Humanitarian Crisis, for which I am sure they are well prepared, but of the need to prevent the economic collapse of much of the continent.

Clare Short: Southern Africa has suffered a Serious Humanitarian Crisis since late 2001.

The extended oil-for-food programme has so far averted a Humanitarian Crisis, but it has not altered the parlous state of Iraqi institutions and services or the underlying economic crisis.

United Nations organisations including the UN Development Programme, the UN Fund for Population Activities, the World Health 538 Organisation, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the UN Relief and Works Agency issued the following joint statement on 10 April: "This is a Humanitarian Crisis without precedent in its destructive impact on the Palestinian people and its institutions".

United Nations organisations including the UN Development Programme, the UN Fund for Population Activities, the World Health Organisation, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the UN Relief and Works Agency issued the following joint statement on10 April: "This is a Humanitarian Crisis without precedent in its destructive impact on the Palestinian people and its institutions".

Easier access to the worst affected areas could dramatically ease the Humanitarian Crisis facing the country.

Ministers discussed the middle east peace process, noting their deep concern at the current situation, the serious threat it posed to regional security and the risk of a Grave Humanitarian Crisis.

The 582W no-fly zones were set up in response to a Grave Humanitarian Crisis and they prevent Saddam Hussein from once again using his air power against the civilian population in those areas.

Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contingency plans have been made to rescue British passport holders who may flee over the borders of Zimbabwe in the event of a Humanitarian Crisis.

Our programme is fully focused on mitigating the Humanitarian Crisis and combating HIV/AIDs.

It relates to a Written Answer given by her predecessor, the noble Baroness, Lady Scotland of Asthal, on 2nd May last year, which is headed: "Humanitarian Crisis: Proposals for International Action".

Then there is the Mugabe-created and fuelled Humanitarian Crisis.

More than 80,000 former fighters, 160,000 family members and 4 million displaced Angolans are all facing a Humanitarian Crisis.

My Lords, the Government remain committed to preventing a recurrence of the Grave Humanitarian Crisis which led to the establishment of the northern no-fly-zone.

However, we remain committed to preventing a Grave Humanitarian Crisis, as I made clear in my original Answer.

We know that there is a Humanitarian Crisis and that, in the rest of southern Africa, it has much to do with drought.

At present, our focus is not only on creating a political consensus but on dealing with the Immediate Humanitarian Crisis.

They are facing a Humanitarian Crisis: up to half the population will require food aid by the end of the year.

There is growing concern over a Possible Humanitarian Crisis emerging in the mid- and far-west regions of Nepal due to the initial failure of this year's monsoon in these areas.

Being there in Egypt gave me a profound sense of being one of them, looking at us and wondering how we could contemplate such a war - a feeling which is further reinforced by talking to women from the United Nations, who are quietly preparing the camps, transport and food sources for the anticipated Humanitarian Crisis.

I should be grateful if the Minister would explain to your Lordships' House how the Government intend to respond to the resumption of the peace talks; how they perceive the future of Britain's relationship with the Sudan; and what progress is likely to be made to alleviate this long-standing Humanitarian Crisis.

The Council condemned the Mugabe government's land reforms as a major cause of the Humanitarian Crisis and urged Zimbabwe to implement the process agreed at Abuja in September 2001 and to review its land reform as proposed by UNDP in early 2002.

In July my Department's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department (CHAD) carried out an assessment mission to Angola to determine the extent of the Humanitarian Crisis there.

Zimbabwe is facing a Humanitarian Crisis - the noble Lord, Lord Astor of Hever, called it a humanitarian catastrophe.

Its economic and land policies are major contributors to the Current Humanitarian Crisis.

A year ago, when it saw the Humanitarian Crisis that was developing, DfID put into place a £2 million supplementary feeding programme which meets the needs of some of the children, pregnant women and nursing mothers so that at least they have a meal a day.

Yes, the situation in Zimbabwe is critical: rampant inflation, high levels of unemployment; use of violence to achieve political ends; a Humanitarian Crisis brought on by economic mismanagement and now the politicisation of food aid.

There is a strong view held with great sincerity by many UN member states that to prepare for a Humanitarian Crisis is to acknowledge the inevitability of war.

What preparations are the Government taking to deal with the Humanitarian Crisis that would be likely to follow military action if it becomes necessary - a point raised by my hon. Friends the Members for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) and for South-West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous)?

We must also ensure a principled and effective response to Any Humanitarian Crisis after the conflict is over.

I shall also set out the work that my Department is doing to help to deal with the Humanitarian Crisis and the measures that we are taking on the development issues that the hon. Gentleman raised.

It is clear that business as usual is insufficient to address the rising Humanitarian Crisis we confront".

We need a new system to avoid one Humanitarian Crisis giving way to another.

In Zimbabwe, DFID's programme is focused on the Humanitarian Crisis but we spent £8 million in the late 1990s on helping to develop national water policy, and assisting the implementation of the Integrated Rural Water and Sanitation Programme in Bikita and Lupane Districts.

However, I think that everyone in this House recognises that Robert Mugabe and his regime bear the brunt of the responsibility for the Humanitarian Crisis.

The new democratically elected Colombian Government face enormous challenges, particularly in their fight against terrorism and the illegal drugs trade, as well as over human rights and Colombia's Humanitarian Crisis.

The noble Earl, Lord Listowel, eloquently set out the scale of the Humanitarian Crisis and how that affects individuals.

For a country that could be so rich, the true extent of the Humanitarian Crisis is shocking.

However, does she not think it extraordinary that Prime Minister Sharon should ask the United Nations to address the Humanitarian Crisis in the west bank and Gaza?

There have also been poor information flows and planning in relation to the short-term response to the Humanitarian Crisis.

Although the situation is not currently a Humanitarian Crisis, there are real needs and the situation could deteriorate quickly.

Clare Short: My Department's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department (CHAD) carried out an assessment mission to Angola in July to determine the extent of the Humanitarian Crisis there.

The European Community (EC) has committed 272,000 tonnes of food (of which 153,000 tonnes was through the WFP) for This Humanitarian Crisis since the beginning of 2002.

191WH We are doing all that we can, putting in substantial resources to help the victims of Zimbabwe's Humanitarian Crisis, the scale of which is great.

I urge the Minister to arrange, with our allies and partners, an international airlift of food to the isolated regions that voted for the MDC, which are facing a Real Humanitarian Crisis.

The tragedy is all the greater because, although southern Africa is affected by drought, the policies of ZANU-PF have turned a situation that could have been managed into a Humanitarian Crisis.

We are doing all that we can, putting in substantial resources to help the victims of Zimbabwe's Humanitarian Crisis, the scale of which is great.

My Lords, the United Kingdom is the second largest bilateral donor to Zimbabwe with regard to the Humanitarian Crisis.

They are facing a Humanitarian Crisis; nearly half the population requires food aid; there is large-scale economic mismanagement; and there were food riots on 4th and 5th of this month.

We also want to see Zimbabwe's economy restored so that the Current Humanitarian Crisis can be dealt with from within Zimbabwe.

Why not, for example, immediately authorise a military intervention in Zimbabwe, where a Massive Humanitarian Crisis is being inflicted on its people by a vicious tyrant?

In terms of gross national income, the UK's contribution to Any Humanitarian Crisis throughout the world, as determined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, is just over 5 per cent.

The Opposition motion recognises the Humanitarian Crisis, and we will of course support it.

The World Food Programme estimates that 6 million people remain vulnerable, and the Select Committee on International Development has recently reported: "the Humanitarian Crisis was far from over and there was little evidence that large scale reconstruction had taken place".

When we talk with NGO representatives, they scream out that the right hon. Lady simply is not engaging with them, meeting people, holding talks, or undertaking the consultation that is vital if a Humanitarian Crisis is to be avoided.

There are no easy answers, and the UN agencies, the UK Government and the NGOs are doing their best to deal with a Serious Humanitarian Crisis, which, in Zimbabwe and in the wider region, has not been helped by the Government of Zimbabwe.

The hon. Gentleman is right to say that we have not had direct discussions about food aid, but when the executive director of the World Food Programme met Mugabe in Harare recently during a regional tour, he stressed the seriousness of the Humanitarian Crisis and the need for the Government to ensure that the food distribution is not biased.

We support a leading UN role in the response to Any Humanitarian Crisis and thereafter.

The noble Baroness, Lady Northover, spoke of the importance of food security, and the noble Lord, Lord Howell, of the Humanitarian Crisis in southern Africa.

Are they adequately prepared for the horrendous tasks which I believe await any invading force in Baghdad: the need to control a bloody civil war of revenge; a flood of refugees into neighbouring states; a Massive Humanitarian Crisis; and, of course, the threat from those weapons of mass destruction which the inspectors have not yet been able to find?

But we support a leading UN role in response to Any Humanitarian Crisis.

I do not want to speculate on the outcome of any action, but our Department, as my right hon. Friend has said, is putting every possible effort into strengthening the UN role and response to deal with Any Humanitarian Crisis afterwards.

I have been involved in discussions with the Secretary-General of the United Nations about the Humanitarian Crisis that has existed in Iraq for the past 12 years, and about the circumstances that would arise if military action had to be taken.

They are Zimbabwe's economic decline, the political situation, including the increase in human rights abuses and harassment and intimidation of the opposition MDC, and the Humanitarian Crisis, including the disastrous fast-track land reform programme.

Clare Short: The vulnerability of the Iraqi people to Humanitarian Crisis should not be underestimated.

Clare Short: The overall response to the Humanitarian Crisis has so far averted mortality that could be directly attributed to levels of starvation.

Britain and our European Union partners should be addressing This Massive Humanitarian Crisis.

However, we have been kept woefully ignorant about contingency planning for the Humanitarian Crisis that will surely follow military action.

We have supported the inclusion of sorghum and millet in seed packs distributed during the Humanitarian Crisis.

This is the key to the avoidance of a Humanitarian Crisis.

On the Humanitarian Crisis, can the Prime Minister tell the House how soon aid can be deployed in Iraq and who will be in charge of the delivery of that aid?

If the programme were not reinstated, it would be difficult to avoid a Serious Humanitarian Crisis.

The port of Umm Qasr is still blocked and a Humanitarian Crisis is developing in Basra.

The nature of conflict in this disorderly post-cold war era, in which one finds Humanitarian Crisis and military action side by side, is becoming a pattern, and it means that we must find new ways of organising ourselves.

However hon. Members voted in relation to the war, surely we are all deeply concerned about the Humanitarian Crisis that exists in that country at the moment.

Will the Secretary of State assure the House that we will listen to the plight of the southern Shi'as, not act as we did in 1991, and move quickly to head off the looming Humanitarian Crisis?

I am also concerned about the desperate need for us to address the Humanitarian Crisis because the displacement of millions of people in that vast country has been internal: they do not count as refugees.

This clearly requires agreement on behalf of the combatants, but it is not enough to wait until the conflict is over because a Real Humanitarian Crisis is brewing.

As my noble friend will be aware, we have contributed some £51 million to the Humanitarian Crisis since September 2001.

Therefore it is vital that with Any Humanitarian Crisis, the situation is constantly monitored as it unfolds so that any assistance given is not only timely but is also the most appropriate to the country's needs.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what money she has set aside from her Department's 2003–04 budget for the Humanitarian Crisis in (a) Southern Africa, (b) Ethiopia and (c) Afghanistan.

Clare Short: Zimbabwe continues to suffer from a Major Humanitarian Crisis.

DFID, have contributed £51 million to help Zimbabwe since the Humanitarian Crisis began in mid 2001.

I should like to ask the Prime Minister about four specific issues: public order in Iraq, the Humanitarian Crisis there, its future government, and the wider prospects for the middle east.

The Secretary of State for International Development (Clare Short): A Humanitarian Crisis is accumulating in the West Bank and Gaza.

The only solution to the Humanitarian Crisis is a successful peace process leading to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state living in peace alongside a secure Israel.

DFID has been a significant contributor, providing £51 million to help Zimbabwe since the Humanitarian Crisis began in mid 2001 The prospects for Zimbabwe in 2003 remain dismal.

Our scandalous inaction in the face of that appalling tragedy should result not in more of the same but in a determined attempt to engage with our colleagues in Africa through NEPAD in order properly to address the increasingly dangerous political and security vacuum and to resolve the Humanitarian Crisis.

Clare Short: DFID has contributed £51 million to help Zimbabwe since the Humanitarian Crisis began in mid 2001.

The drought is less bad in neighbouring countries, so the Humanitarian Crisis is also less bad there, although it is serious in Zimbabwe.

While the Humanitarian Crisis is not on the scale that was predicted - for example, in terms of the movements of internally displaced people - and there are food and medical supplies available, the security situation remains a matter of grave concern.

That is why the Humanitarian Crisis with respect to the distribution of food has not been as problematic as we had feared.

Zimbabwe's Humanitarian Crisis is, of course, part of a wider political and economic crisis.

DFID is awaiting more details on the numbers and the location of populations at risk from the national vulnerability assessment, FAO/WFP crop survey and the national nutrition survey, which will give more precise information on the scale of the Humanitarian Crisis.

DFID support for the Humanitarian Crisis will continue in 2003–4 through NGOs and UN feeding programmes.

[Relevant documents: Humanitarian Crisis in Southern Africa—Third Report from the International Development Committee, Session 2002–03, HC 116, and the Government's response thereto, HC 690.

First, the international response to the Humanitarian Crisis was generally effective in the end, as the hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) said.

I am sure that we all welcome the opportunity to debate the Select Committee's report on the Humanitarian Crisis in southern Africa.

The title "The Humanitarian Crisis in Southern Africa" says it all - there definitely is such a crisis.

Poverty is a major factor in the Humanitarian Crisis, yet the European Union and the United States continue to protect and to subsidise their own farmers, which destroys potential markets for those in southern Africa.

I am grateful to the Select Committee on International Development for the enormous amount of work that it has put into its analysis of the Humanitarian Crisis in southern Africa.

First, the international response to the Humanitarian Crisis was generally effective in the end, asthe hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) said.

I will now say a word about the Humanitarian Crisis and our contribution to dealing with it.

Baroness Amos said: "there was planning which DFID was involved in with respect to what would happen post the conflict, and much of that planning went into thinking about the scale of the Humanitarian Crisis.

Hilary Benn: Food aid can be vital for saving lives during Humanitarian Crisis but inappropriately used it also has the potential to disrupt local markets, investment and food production.

As the hon. Gentleman will probably be aware, DFID, in particular, rightly prepared for the potential worst outcome - a Humanitarian Crisis - so all the things that we put in place were in anticipation of that because, frankly, if we had failed to prepare for that crisis, we would have been rightly criticised.

The hon. Gentleman is right to say that because, with hindsight, part of the slow start to the process was due to the speed with which the conflict ended - people expected it to go on for much longer and anticipated a Humanitarian Crisis that did not emerge.

We have responded to the Humanitarian Crisis by continuing to honour our commitments to provide the Zimbabwean people with assistance.

We continue to respond to Zimbabwe's Humanitarian Crisis and have provided £62 million since 2001, making us the largest aid donor after the United States.

Zimbabwe is in the midst of a Humanitarian Crisis.

Finally, I again emphasise the scale of the Humanitarian Crisis.

Conflict in the three states of Darfur in western Sudan has brought a huge Humanitarian Crisis to the Chadian border.

The planning was for the worst possible outcome, and as the hon. Gentleman will be aware, the effort and money that DFID committed to that was to ensure that if the worst did come about, we were ready to deal with Any Humanitarian Crisis.

The violence in Darfur is such that it is difficult to get access to, and therefore an understanding of, the full extent of the seriousness of the Humanitarian Crisis.

Yet, thank God, there has not been the kind of Humanitarian Crisis about which we hear too often in other parts of the world.

The Burma Campaign has summed up the present position as one in which there is "disruption of democracy; the continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and her colleagues; the scorched earth policy against ethnic peoples; the use of rape as a weapon of war against women and children; the mass forced displacement of civilian populations; the widespread and systematic violation of human rights; the largest use of child soldiers in the world; the production and export of illegal narcotics; the spread of HIV/AIDs to neighbouring countries; and the looming Humanitarian Crisis resulting from the collapse of public services".

The Humanitarian Crisis is severe, with between 2 million and 3 million Colombians driven from their homes by the conflict.

We worked with our Ministry of Defence to purchase food and make preparations for the Possible Humanitarian Crisis, giving our support and advice.

However, there is also a sense of a looming Humanitarian Crisis, as the noble Baroness, Lady Northover, described.

Following the UN's announcement that food aid to Gaza is to be suspended, does my right hon. Friend agree that the present Israeli policy is leading to a Humanitarian Crisis to which the Palestinian Authority will not be able to respond?

I will touch on security concerns, human rights, the treatment of refugees and the Humanitarian Crisis.

Many of the things that people anticipated would happen, such as the Humanitarian Crisis, did not happen.

That adds up to a Real Humanitarian Crisis beyond notions of illegality.

We were given four reasons for going to war: the threat of weapons of mass destruction and the non-compliance with UN resolutions; the fight against terror; the Humanitarian Crisis; and Saddam's reign of terror.

My Lords, given what the Minister has just said, the description used by the United Nations of Darfur being the world's Worst Humanitarian Crisis, and the Swedish Government's description of what is happening in Darfur - where there are mass executions, the burning of villages and the destruction of food supplies - as genocide, when will Her Majesty's Government raise this issue by way of resolution in the United Nations Security Council in an endeavour to bring together an international campaign to hold the Sudanese Government to account?

Has he yet accepted the Secretary-General's proposal that he should disarm the militia, whose attacks on civilians in Western Darfur have led to This Grave Humanitarian Crisis?

5 million, and we have provided key personnel to support the UN co-ordination effort in response to This Humanitarian Crisis.

So, of course we need to increase economic activity but we also need to deal with the Humanitarian Crisis and to ensure that a political solution is found as soon as possible.

It is rightly described as possibly the most Serious Humanitarian Crisis in the world at the moment.

It is all very well to wring hands - people might say that I stand here wringing mine - but people are dying now, so This Humanitarian Crisis must be dealt with now.

It is the Worst Humanitarian Crisis that the world faces.

It is the worst Humanitarian Crisis that the world faces.

The Humanitarian Crisis is one element, but the ongoing peace process negotiation is another and we must not forget that.

One of the tragedies of Darfur is that we are having to spend money - although rightly - on dealing with the Humanitarian Crisis when, if there were peace and stability in Sudan on the basis of the Naivasha agreement, we could use those resources to help the development of this desperately poor country.

I shall do so as quickly as possible, to make the point that the needs there are enormous and that we must all do more in response to the Humanitarian Crisis.

The Government of Zimbabwe's misguided policies, including on land, continue to fuel the Humanitarian Crisis, which is made worse by HIV/AIDs and erratic rainfall.

Does the Minister accept that the Worst Humanitarian Crisis, with by far the greatest need for aid in Africa, is in Sudan?

We need to work on developing an international consensus through the United Nations in terms of the circumstances that should justify intervention in a variety of forms to meet a developing Humanitarian Crisis.

He rightly refers not only to the additional aid that we have been able to give for the Humanitarian Crisis, but also to the aid framework that we want to put into development in Sudan when there is peace - not just peace as a result of the Naivasha process but peace in Darfur.

We need to keep the focus on Sudan and Darfur as the Humanitarian Crisis worsens.

If anybody thinks that the Humanitarian Crisis will be significantly alleviated, let alone resolved, within 90 days, then they are, frankly, in need of medical attention.

UNHCR's recent report, Volume 3, 2004, describes Darfur as, "today's Worst Humanitarian Crisis", and graphically portrays the horrors inflicted on countless innocent civilians.

UNHCR's recent report, Volume 3, 2004, describes Darfur as, "today's worst Humanitarian Crisis", and graphically portrays the horrors inflicted on countless innocent civilians.

In view of the ongoing human rights abuses, death and destruction in Darfur, does my right hon. Friend agree that it would be appropriate to have a debate on the Floor of the House so that we can consider, for example, the remarkable revelations in The Independent yesterday, the excellent job that the Department for International Development is trying to do despite the obstruction, and, perhaps above all, the Government's view of the role of the United Nations Security Council in a Humanitarian Crisis made all the worse by the fact that it is man-made and continuing?

Refugees are pouring into Botswana, in the north part of South Africa, and the Humanitarian Crisis is not one that is going to be specifically restricted to Zimbabwe".

The first requirement was to establish the facts in Uzbekistan relating to what may be an emerging problem over what may be an Humanitarian Crisis affecting Kyrgyzstan.

We have an ongoing relationship with many NGOs, particularly those that we work with when a Humanitarian Crisis breaks out.

Through its military expansionism, its involvement in the drugs trade, and its spawning of a Humanitarian Crisis as a result of the flow of refugees over the border, Burma now poses a serious threat to regional stability.

Through its military expansionism, its involvement in the drugs trade, its spawning of a Humanitarian Crisis as a result of the flow of refugees over the border, Burma now poses a serious threat to regional stability.

He emphasised the particular worry of the harassment of non-governmental organisations, which adds to the Humanitarian Crisis.

The Humanitarian Crisis in Zimbabwe is very real, but it is increasingly clear that condemnation of Mugabe and his regime, whether by our Government or other hon. Members, is like water off a duck's back.

I am grateful for the opportunity to raise a serious issue tonight: the Humanitarian Crisis that faces Zimbabwe.

But in the event of a Major Humanitarian Crisis involving famine and homelessness in Zimbabwe, how will the Secretary of State achieve the difficult balance of supporting those in need while not indirectly rewarding the perpetrator of the original injustice?

I am pleased that the PAC found time in its busy schedule to address This Humanitarian Crisis.

These hardships will only compound what Reuters called the second-worst "forgotten" Humanitarian Crisis.

As the United Nations describes the western region of Darfur as having the Worst Humanitarian Crisis anywhere in the world at present, should we not all hold our heads in shame because we have not done more to ensure security in that area?

I can well understand that there might be a point - it could even be now - at which some people would be inclined to say that I should not focus too much on that matter at the moment because it is important to establish security, to tackle the Humanitarian Crisis and to try to make progress towards referendums and the development of life and so on, and that it would rather cloud the issue if I were to bang on too much about referrals to the ICC.

The situation in Darfur is possibly the greatest Humanitarian Crisis of our time.

Secondly, on the Humanitarian Crisis, I have asked my right hon. Friend to clarify the alternative mechanisms, but will he also explain how Britain intends to respond to the UN appeal?

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that response, but does she not agree with me that there will have to be a serious international effort to stop the violence if a Humanitarian Crisis is to be avoided?

As to the Gaza situation - the other ugly pattern of development - here we have a Major Humanitarian Crisis.

The blockade of Palestinian territory and the blocking of financial transfers have led to a Humanitarian Crisis, which is likely to breed further despair-ridden terrorism, rather than to create the conditions for constructive dialogue.

When the Council met, what discussions took place about the Humanitarian Crisis facing people who have migrated from west Africa to the Canary islands, many of whom have perished in the sea on that perilous journey, and about the increasing militarisation of the Mediterranean, which has resulted in the loss of many lives of people trying to cross from north Africa to Europe?

It is a Humanitarian Crisis and the media are largely ignoring it.

The Humanitarian Crisis has reached unprecedented depths.

Perhaps the most urgent peacekeeping reform would be to expedite the reaction of the international community to a Humanitarian Crisis.

As so many of my noble friends have said, it is right that we - and the Sudanese, above all - should expect the international community to continue to press vigorously, first, to alleviate the Humanitarian Crisis, but secondly and equally importantly, to find a longer-term solution and a greater, better framework for stability in Darfur.

In the meantime, it is important to deal with the Humanitarian Crisis there and the inability of civilians to perform the duty of representing their interests in Zimbabwe.

In September last year, we contributed $1 million to the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross for their response to the Humanitarian Crisis unfolding in Sri Lanka.

The Humanitarian Crisis has touched the conscience of people all over the world.

The most important element in tackling the Humanitarian Crisis is the deployment of that hybrid AU-UN force, and the continued refusal by the Khartoum Government to allow the deployment of the force is utterly disgraceful.

As has been well documented and reported: the Humanitarian Crisis is awful and continues to get worse.

We have to make Israel understand that it has to do what it can to relieve the Humanitarian Crisis on the west bank and in Gaza and that it needs to lift the blockades where it feels able to do so, because they are having a dreadful effect.

While one might debate the merits or demerits of the Iraq war - I still hold to the same view - there is a Humanitarian Crisis among the displaced people of Iraq, both inside and outside the country, and I would ask for an urgent debate on that subject.

In the mean time, the people of Zimbabwe face a Humanitarian Crisis.

The political situation in Darfur is too fragile, and the Humanitarian Crisis too dire, to contemplate any further delays in deploying the hybrid peacekeeping force.

The international community must be ready to assist the south African countries and plan a response to the Possible Humanitarian Crisis that looms ever-closer.

In an e-mail earlier this week, he said: "A Humanitarian Crisis is brewing in Zimbabwe of a scale never seen before.

To say that the situation is the Worst Humanitarian Crisis on the planet is no exaggeration.

Although, as the report makes clear, European Union aid, and for the last year the temporary international mechanism, "has prevented a very Serious Humanitarian Crisis from becoming even worse .

The Government can be assured of support from the Liberal Democrats if they are serious about resolving the grave human rights abuses, if they are serious about resolving the Humanitarian Crisis and if they are actively engaged in helping to bring about a resolution of the crisis in Burma.

Is the threshold of intervention to be determined by military resources of the UN or by the scale of any given Humanitarian Crisis?

The fact that it has done that does not remove the need for us to address the Humanitarian Crisis, which is worsening by the week.

Does he agree that there is not enough in the agreement to offer any prospect of an end to the choking of Gaza's economy, which exacerbates the Humanitarian Crisis?

Importantly, the report affords us this opportunity to scrutinise the British Government's efforts in dealing with this sadly Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis.

Let me deal with the three issues that have preoccupied the Government and indeed the whole international community over the past week: violence and the resulting Humanitarian Crisis, the elections and mediation.

While this violence continues and the Humanitarian Crisis worsens there will be neither the trust nor the stability to allow a medium and long-term solution to be found.

Let me deal with the three issues that have preoccupied the Government and indeed the whole international community over the last week: violence and the resulting Humanitarian Crisis; the elections; and mediation.

At that time, thousands had been displaced from their homes, hundreds killed and the international community was responding to the growing Humanitarian Crisis.

Does the hon. Gentleman share my concerns that, with the motorway remaining closed and the ceasefire having ended, the Humanitarian Crisis can only get worse?

The Immediate Humanitarian Crisis there has to be dealt with.

There is a Terrible Humanitarian Crisis on the Gaza strip.

As my hon. Friendthe Member for Regent's Park and Kensington, North (Ms Buck) said, the Humanitarian Crisis is in effect holding to ransom the entire population of Gaza.

There is a Humanitarian Crisis, which we know about because satellite TV reports it; but apparently, there is little we can do about it.

If we do not deal with the situation as an Urgent Humanitarian Crisis, those 400 people are on their way to death, for obvious reasons.

I am very pleased that we are having this debate today, but sad about the situation facing the people of Gaza at the moment, which is nothing short of a Humanitarian Crisis.

There was a huge gap between the assistance that the UK could provide in a Humanitarian Crisis, and what the EU was able to deliver.

What more can the British Government do, working with the Quartet and the temporary international mechanism, to alleviate the growing Humanitarian Crisis?

Ceasefires have been signed, and false dawns have come and gone, but the country remains in the grip of a Humanitarian Crisis more than five years after the signing of the formal peace agreement to end the war.

The UN Secretary-General has said that we are at a "critical point" in the response to This Grave Humanitarian Crisis.

In the best sense, I hope that we do debate the issue again in the House, but tragically we could be discussing mass hunger in Burma, and not just how to tackle the Present Humanitarian Crisis.

Of course, we want to see all Governments meet their obligations towards their people, not least in circumstances of a Humanitarian Crisis on that scale.

The Current Humanitarian Crisis must be understood in the context of two interrelated developments: first, the escalation of fighting, particularly since July, between Government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam; and secondly the compulsory withdrawal of UN agencies and international non-governmental organisations, including all their staff, supplies and vehicles, from the northern Vanni region.

Does that not precisely represent the scale of the Humanitarian Crisis now faced by the displaced people in the north and east of Sri Lanka?

As the Minister said, the Humanitarian Crisis is on a vast scale.

We witnessed them working extremely well during a Humanitarian Crisis when a plane crashed at Goma airport.

The Department for International Development expects to spend £130 million this year on improving governance and accountability, promoting human development, supporting sustainable growth and providing humanitarian assistance, as well as an additional £35 million in response to the Humanitarian Crisis.

It has allowed countries in the region to discuss co-operation to end the Humanitarian Crisis and injected new momentum into achieving full implementation of the Nairobi communiqué and the Goma accords, which we will now take forward with President Obasanjo, the UN special envy, and ex-Tanzanian President Mkapa.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a Humanitarian Crisis has seen many thousands of people driven from their homes in only the clothes that they were standing in.

I take this opportunity to thank all those people working in such difficult circumstances on This Humanitarian Crisis.

During that period, the EU should send our troops to defend people in this really difficult time, as there could be a Massive Humanitarian Crisis if we fail to act.

We lobby South Africa and the regional elders to effect change, and we welcomed the report of the group of elders which directly linked the failure of social and economic policy with the Current Humanitarian Crisis.

The immediate priority must be to achieve a ceasefire and to address the Humanitarian Crisis, but we must not lose sight of the need to push the middle east peace process forward urgently when those things are in place, in order to break the vicious cycle of ceasefires and violence, and to achieve a peace settlement that will deliver a Palestinian state.

We are all deeply concerned about the Humanitarian Crisis, but piracy off the coast of Somalia is helping to pay for, and therefore perpetuate, the war in that country.

The hon. Gentleman is quite right to talk of the Humanitarian Crisis, which is indeed a tragedy in Somalia.

However, I should like to refer to Another Humanitarian Crisis, which was marked only yesterday by the attendance of thousands of mourners at the funeral in Sri Lanka of a newspaper editor who was murdered last week.

The terrible nature of this conflict has been made all the more tragic by the enormity of the Humanitarian Crisis associated with it.

The international community and Gazans themselves face not just a Humanitarian Crisis but the task, effectively, of rebuilding Gaza.

One does not have to lay any blame to recognise that there is an Humanitarian Crisis, and I seriously question whether anyone could be found, even in the Israeli embassy, who would complain if the BBC screened the appeal.

Nevertheless, there is a Major Humanitarian Crisis, and we need to concentrate on what needs to be done.

of the agricultural industry has now been destroyed across the Gaza strip, and that only one crossing point is open through which to import goods, will my right hon. Friend ask the Israelis why they are ignoring the pleas of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and of non-governmental organisations such as Oxfam and the World Food Programme to open all the crossings so that the Humanitarian Crisis on the strip can be properly addressed?

I pay tribute to the efforts made by the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Development to get an immediate ceasefire and to help tackle the ongoing Humanitarian Crisis in the conflict zone in the north-east of the island.

It is clear and important that today in the House we heard strong words of criticism from the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office,the hon. Member for Harlow (Bill Rammell), and from my hon. Friendthe Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson), on the unfolding Humanitarian Crisis.

However, due to the unfolding Humanitarian Crisis resulting from the conflict in the north, we have committed £5 million to support agencies such as the Red Cross to deliver vital humanitarian aid.

My Lords, after the apparently decisive military victory, my noble friend is right to draw attention to the Humanitarian Crisis, and to the fact that the real challenge is now for the Sri Lankan Government to respond in a way that builds reconciliation and does not further deepen the internal cleavages.

It added: "It's clear from the way in which the government has intimidated editors, like requesting that newspapers don't cover particular stories such as the Humanitarian Crisis, that there has been a concerted campaign to silence the media".

This is a Humanitarian Crisis and a violation of human rights.

The House should be reminded - and we should remind those attending to our debate - of what spawned the Terrible Humanitarian Crisis.

Reinforcing the message of my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury, he eloquently highlighted the Humanitarian Crisis that continues to engulf the region, and made the moral and practical case on why more must be done.

The implication of that, of course, is that we face a double whammy of Humanitarian Crisis.

Reinforcing the message of my hon. Friendthe Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry), he eloquently highlighted the Humanitarian Crisis that continues to engulf the region, and made the moral and practical case on why more must be done.

Humanitarian assistance is, as right hon. and hon. Members know, deployed at times of Humanitarian Crisis, such as natural disasters.

The petition states: The Petition of supporters of members of the Tamil Diaspora in the United Kingdom, Declares their deep concern about the Current Humanitarian Crisis facing the Tamil people in northern and eastern Sri Lanka.

The right hon. Member for Enfield, North, made an important point about the Humanitarian Crisis.

Now there is a greater challenge - a Humanitarian Crisis and a situation that can be resolved only by a ceasefire and agreement to the conditions that I understand the Sri Lankan Government have agreed with John Holmes, Walter Kaelin and all those who have intervened with them and have been accepted on the island to discuss the matters that Members have raised about international supervision, conduct, and care of the people who come out of the conflict zone.

We have to take the crisis seriously as a Humanitarian Crisis.

It is time for the international community to hold hands and to say that this is a Humanitarian Crisis.

My final point, which was raised earlier, is that ending the Humanitarian Crisis is only the first move.

If we do not want to find ourselves in Another Humanitarian Crisis two, three or five years down the road, as has happened before in Sri Lanka, we need a viable peace process.

Day by day, the Humanitarian Crisis has worsened.

The Conservative Benches share his deep concern about the desperate Humanitarian Crisis in northern Sri Lanka and the suffering of innocent civilians who have been trapped by the fighting.

That is evident from the scale of the Humanitarian Crisis with which it has to deal.

The discussions will focus on the items that we all agree are essential - the Humanitarian Crisis and how to get access for the UN agencies and their aid, but also how to fashion a halt to the fighting, and then in the longer term to ensure that some kind of political process is developed to respect all Sri Lanka's minorities.

The Foreign Secretary will be well aware that the Humanitarian Crisis for innocent Tamil civilians concerns the whole House.

The formation of a more broadly based Government provides the best opportunity to create a lasting peace and reconciliation necessary for tackling the Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis.

With regard to the Humanitarian Crisis, is the noble Lord aware of any steps being taken through the Security Council or otherwise to meet the gap of two-thirds in the funding to meet the needs of the 400,000 people displaced internally, and a similar number in refugee camps in neighbouring countries, particularly Kenya?

We remain deeply concerned about current events, and our primary concern is the Immediate Humanitarian Crisis.

I refer to my previous responsibilities in saying that the way in which we respond to the Humanitarian Crisis is equally important.

I refer to my previous responsibilities in saying that way in which we respond to the Humanitarian Crisis is equally important.

We applaud and thank the Department for International Development for the very large amount of aid that it has provided through NGOs to try to help people through This Humanitarian Crisis, but there must be transparency.

Britain has, in my view, gone as far as any Government in working for peace and a solution to This Humanitarian Crisis.

The UK's bilateral contribution of £22 million is the second largest made by any nation to deal with the Humanitarian Crisis.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the failure to respond to the Humanitarian Crisis and the desperate need for reconstruction in Gaza are doing exactly what is not in the interests of the Israeli Government either - fuelling militancy and creating disunity among the Palestinian voices?

In Somalia, a protracted conflict in one of the very poorest countries of the world has caused a Massive Humanitarian Crisis, migration flows and regional instability.

There is, rightly, a strong focus on Darfur, where the Humanitarian Crisis is acute, but there is an equal if not greater danger that in the referendum planned for 2011 under the terms of the comprehensive peace agreement between the north and the south, the south decides to secede, the north resists and a further bloody war breaks out.

It is a regime that turned the Humanitarian Crisis that followed Cyclone Nargis into a near-genocidal catastrophe.

First, in this debate about the conflicts in the horn of Africa, let us remember the ordinary people there and the Humanitarian Crisis that the vast majority of them face as a result of conflict.

Effectively, that would rapidly lead to Yemen becoming a failed state- fragmented, drawn into a Humanitarian Crisis, and encouraging conflict beyond its borders.

My Lords, we are making substantial assistance available in response to the Humanitarian Crisis following the emergency and the reconstruction crisis.

Is the Minister aware that southern Sudan suffers from a Humanitarian Crisis, with one in seven children dying before the age of five and one in seven mothers dying in childbirth and with only 20 per cent immunisation?

Iraq is probably no longer in Humanitarian Crisis, but I should be grateful for my hon. Friend the Minister's assurance that humanitarian aid will continue where necessary.

Finally, there has been the Humanitarian Crisis, which has been the inevitable consequence of the first three crises.

The diaspora's support following the Humanitarian Crisis undoubtedly helped to alleviate the hardship of many individuals and their families, and we thank them for their contribution.

Our contributions to This Humanitarian Crisis have been based on detailed and rigorous assessments of needs on the ground.

Although we agree with the hon. Gentleman that there is no longer a Humanitarian Crisis as such in Gaza, the situation there remains extremely fragile and could deteriorate very quickly.

This year, our immediate assistance in response to severe food shortages in the eastern Sahel-she will have read about them-helped avert a Major Humanitarian Crisis.

At this time of Chanukah, the festival of lights-we will greatly look forward to hearing later from my noble friend Lord Sacks-it is worth remarking that, earlier this year, 52 rabbis, as part of the Yom HaShoah, the annual commemoration of the Holocaust, wrote that continuing atrocities and conflict in the Congo, "has produced a Terrible Humanitarian Crisis .

Following the referendum, there will be an urgent need to address these problems if the existing Humanitarian Crisis is not to escalate even further, with a risk of undermining political stability.

Everyone hopes this situation will be resolved quickly but there is a real danger now of a Humanitarian Crisis inside Libya.

On the human rights situation, there is clearly a growing Humanitarian Crisis on the Tunisian and Egyptian borders.

Everyone hopes that the situation will be resolved quickly, but there is a real danger now of a Humanitarian Crisis inside Libya.

On the human rights situation, there is clearly a growing Humanitarian Crisis on the Tunisian border and I welcome the steps that will be taken, which the Prime Minister talked about.

As the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, said last night, there are serious implications of a growing Humanitarian Crisis.

May I ask the Prime Minister about the situation in Libya, starting with the Humanitarian Crisis?

We have just spoken about the Humanitarian Crisis, and the next steps that we must take to ease it.

This remains primarily a logistical emergency, but it is essential that international agencies are provided with unfettered access to help to prevent the development of a Humanitarian Crisis.

It was quickly established that at that point the situation on the borders was a logistical emergency rather than a Humanitarian Crisis.

On the Humanitarian Crisis, is DfID planning to provide additional support to the other multilateral organisations, such as the World Food Programme and UNHCR?

What we have done so far has focused on the Egyptian and Tunisian borders, where Britain has led the way in supplying tents and blankets and in flying people back home to Egypt, because we want to ensure that a bad humanitarian situation does not become a Humanitarian Crisis.

On the Humanitarian Crisis, to which the Prime Minister referred, may I ask him whether the Department for International Development is planning to provide additional support to other multilateral organisations such as the World Food Programme and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees?

We should support UNICEF in its efforts to make an immediate response to alleviate the Humanitarian Crisis as soon as it can safely enter the country.

I wonder whether our response should be more than a response to the Humanitarian Crisis that could have ensued in Libya.

This timely assistance prevented what was a logistical emergency from becoming a Humanitarian Crisis.

I wonder whether our response should not just be a response to the Humanitarian Crisis that could have ensued in Libya.

Last week, Britain helped Europe to focus on policies and people: on creating prosperity for its citizens, and confronting a Humanitarian Crisis on its southern border.

What are the international community and our Government doing to try to stem that aspect of the Humanitarian Crisis?

Had we not passed that resolution and acted on it quickly, the loss of civilian life would have been dramatically greater, and the Humanitarian Crisis with which we would now be dealing would also be dramatically greater.

Early intervention by Britain and other donors has prevented a logistical challenge from developing into a Humanitarian Crisis.

04 million has been allocated to meet the Immediate Humanitarian Crisis.

The fact that in just six weeks we have secured two Security Council resolutions and NATO control of a broad international military force, and have averted a Humanitarian Crisis as hundreds of thousands of people have fled Libya, is nothing short of extraordinary.

That is perhaps at the depth of the Humanitarian Crisis.

I invite the House to consider the idea that, rather than just going in with stretcher bearers, aid, blankets and great waves of British generosity and charity after a Humanitarian Crisis unfolds, we look for more preventive development work.

It is clear that Libya faces a Humanitarian Crisis, particularly on its borders.

However, we will lose that faith in this Parliament if we let a Humanitarian Crisis develop.

Besides the incredible realities of the Humanitarian Crisis, will the Minister seek to ensure that inquiries are made as to the sources of those who have conducted the massacres in that country and that those people be brought to appropriate justice under international law?

Another major issue is the unfolding Humanitarian Crisis.

The Humanitarian Crisis has been described by the United Nations as "one of the worst nightmares in recent history", and various leaders from across the country are accused of war crimes, including President Omar al-Bashir.

I was very pleased that he mentioned, as others did later, the Humanitarian Crisis and how the United Nations sees it.

In Libya, Britain is taking a leading role in international efforts to protect civilians from ongoing attacks by the Gaddafi regime and to help avert a Humanitarian Crisis.

Any further deterioration in the economy could prompt a much broader Humanitarian Crisis, not least because without fuel, much of Yemen cannot be provided with water.

According to the latest statement from the International Committee of the Red Cross, there is a growing Humanitarian Crisis on the ground.

We also have a Humanitarian Crisis: 40% of Yemenis live on less than £1.

Today, under 6,000 people are stuck on the border, so a Humanitarian Crisis has been avoided.

In a Humanitarian Crisis, securing access to clean water and sanitation is often one of the key challenges.

In the midst of all the other pressing issues on which the Prime Minister has reported from the European Council, was there any acknowledgement of the gathering ravages of conflict in parts of Sudan, the Humanitarian Crisis facing people there yet again and the plight of aid workers and journalists from Europe in that situation?

What can the Government do to stem This Humanitarian Crisis?

Of course we will keep the Humanitarian Crisis under review.

The current drought in the horn of Africa is a Serious Humanitarian Crisis affecting some 10 million people.

7% of national income going into aid, we are also leading the world in the amount of money that we are putting into the horn of Africa to vaccinate children, to save lives and to recognise that this is an Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis.

I also wish to reflect on some of the things that the Government could learn from the Current Humanitarian Crisis and on how we might improve our response in future.

The background to the events has always been that Yemen is a poor country, but we now have a Humanitarian Crisis.

Economic collapse and escalating conflict and violence is pushing Yemen into a Humanitarian Crisis.

The Humanitarian Crisis is still ongoing in Gaza.

This affects the civil population but is legitimate unless it causes a Humanitarian Crisis.

The noble Lord is right: the fighting in the region has been exacerbated by the cash, weapons and soldiers that have come from Libya following the fall of Gaddafi, overlaying This Humanitarian Crisis and making it much more dangerous for people to be working in the area.

I am talking about security concerns, but the UK makes a huge contribution to addressing humanitarian concerns- we were the second-largest bilateral donor in the Recent Humanitarian Crisis.

Alongside the security threat, the United Kingdom is also deeply affected by the inevitable burden of responsibility that it rightly shares with the rest of the international community to protect and provide for those affected by the Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis and seeking refuge, aid and sanctuary during these desperate times.

Alongside the security threat, the United Kingdom is also deeply affected by the inevitable burden of responsibility that it rightly shares with the rest of the international community to protect and provide for those affected by the ongoing Humanitarian Crisis and seeking refuge, aid and sanctuary during these desperate times.

It is identified by the UN as having the world's Worst Humanitarian Crisis.

Aid will always be valuable for a country in Humanitarian Crisis, but in the end it is economic development that will lift people out of poverty.

We want to enrich the existing process and to act as a catalyst to drive international action: on security, with more sustainable funding for AMISOM; on the political process, by building on the local stability that I have just mentioned; by breaking the business model for piracy; and by making a renewed commitment to tackle the Humanitarian Crisis and to bring about better international co-ordination.

The Humanitarian Crisis and political destabilisation are extremely toxic, and I hope that the Minister can provide some assurance that at international level the situation in Lebanon is at least part of the consideration as we rightly debate internationally how to push Syria towards a better future, how to get rid of the vile Assad regime in Damascus, and how to move the whole region to a better place.

The Humanitarian Crisis is growing and many disaffected parties who have been outside the political process will need to be brought to the table in an attempt to resolve their grievances.

I can give the hon. Gentleman an absolute assurance that we are sparing no effort whatever in seeking to persuade all the various parties and stakeholders who can provide assistance to meet the emerging Humanitarian Crisis.

The scale of the Humanitarian Crisis is growing by the day.

The scale of the Humanitarian Crisis is growing by the day, as the Foreign Secretary acknowledged.

What thought has been given to creating large humanitarian enclaves for civilians in neighbouring countries - safe areas in countries such as Turkey - given that the Humanitarian Crisis is as serious as he suggested?

Does the hon. Gentleman also agree that This Humanitarian Crisis is so grave that we need leadership and involvement from the entire international community, and that further assistance and contribution from some of the wealthier middle east countries would not go amiss?

The second area is action to address the Humanitarian Crisis.

In the absence of the international agreement and unity to mandate and require the implementation of the Annan plan or something very similar to it, we are setting out to continue to work on unifying the international community, to help to unite and assist the opposition in various ways and to address the Humanitarian Crisis.

The level of violence in Arakan state has fallen, but there remains a Serious Humanitarian Crisis that needs urgent attention if we are to stem the cycle of violence and killing.

There is clearly a Humanitarian Crisis and I hope the Minister will tell us what steps the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development are taking to ensure that victims are receiving the humanitarian assistance they clearly need, what access there is to the camps, and how much aid the British Government are prepared to contribute.

That is what is needed at the moment to deal with the Immediate Humanitarian Crisis, because the refugees have nowhere to go.

The DRC is a vast country with immense economic resources, although it has been at the centre of what could be described as Africa's world war, which has left it in the grip of an Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis.

Looking beyond the Humanitarian Crisis, we want a stable and prosperous DRC.

It is a rapidly escalating Humanitarian Crisis that will only get worse in the coming months.

The emergence of a political process must not distract us from the pressing Humanitarian Crisis.

We were faced with a Humanitarian Crisis.

As a result of Assad's brutality, a Humanitarian Crisis is unfolding in Syria on our watch, with more than 40,000 dead and millions in need of urgent assistance as a hard winter approaches.

We did not discuss international development at this Council, because it was largely about the eurozone, but we did discuss briefly the effect of European aid, particularly in Syria, where Britain is playing a key role, as is the EU, with its aid budget, which is making sure that we ease the scale of the Humanitarian Crisis, and that is good and important work.

There is a Great Humanitarian Crisis developing in Mali, with 230,000 people displaced and 150,000 people having left the country.

There is a great Humanitarian Crisis developing in Mali, with 230,000 people displaced and 150,000 people having left the country.

With your permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to update the House on the United Kingdom's response to the Humanitarian Crisis in the Syrian region.

The right hon. Lady and I differ on many things, but I begin by paying tribute to her for the good and important work she has done to galvanise an international response to the Grave Humanitarian Crisis arising from the conflict in Syria.

The right hon. Lady and I differ on many things, but I begin by paying tribute to her for the good and important work she has done to galvanise an international response to the grave Humanitarian Crisis arising from the conflict in Syria.

The hon. Gentleman asked about the strategic response, and he is quite right to flag up the fact that This Humanitarian Crisis is perhaps different from many others with which the Department deals.

The £50 million that we donated at the conference will sit alongside the UN co-ordinated response to the Humanitarian Crisis.

We need to make sure that we deal with the totality of This Humanitarian Crisis, and that involves making sure that when refugees end up in the EU we provide the support they need.

We are supporting the Syrian National Coalition's own efforts to deliver aid inside Syria, and we will seek new ways to relieve the Humanitarian Crisis and to expand access to aid across the country, while preparing to help a future Government deal with the aftermath of the conflict.

However distressing the picture of the Humanitarian Crisis that we see on our television screens - and it is indeed distressing - I must tell my right hon. Friend that I am extremely concerned that the United Kingdom's hand is being drawn ever more closely into this mangle.

The situation in Syria is obviously appalling, and the Humanitarian Crisis is absolutely devastating, but the ending of every war requires a political solution of some sort.

The right hon. Gentleman makes an important point, which is relevant to those who try to fill the pot when a Humanitarian Crisis occurs and support from Governments and taxpayers is essential.

Clearly, if the Humanitarian Crisis and all the killing are to end, there must be a political solution; and a political solution must involve all the countries, all of which have complex demands and aims, including Iran.

Syria is one of our greatest foreign policy challenges, not least as it has brought about a Humanitarian Crisis on a scale not seen in decades.

As the Minister outlined, this is a Humanitarian Crisis on a scale not seen in decades.

There is a Humanitarian Crisis, so Britain is leading the way with humanitarian support.

At the heart of the Humanitarian Crisis, as hon. Members have already said, lies the question of citizenship.

There is an Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis and there are questions about access to aid; the hon. Lady has spoken about the amount of aid that goes towards that humanitarian crisis.

There is also evidence that, unfortunately, those fleeing Kachin and seeking asylum in China have been turned back, adding to the Humanitarian Crisis.

I fully accept what the hon. Gentleman says - of course there is a Humanitarian Crisis, as I think many other hon. Members will also emphasise.

That makes the Humanitarian Crisis even greater.

He was absolutely right to raise the challenges that exist, particularly the Humanitarian Crisis.

However, the answer to This Humanitarian Crisis is a political solution.

However, as the Prime Minister has said, the answer to This Humanitarian Crisis is a political solution.

We are witnessing a continuing deterioration of the situation in Syria: the latest estimates are that 93,000 people have been killed, and there is a rapidly escalating Humanitarian Crisis on the border as millions flee.

The International Rescue Committee reports: “Violence against women and girls is both a feature of today's escalating Humanitarian Crisis, and a persistent feature of daily life across South Sudan.

I am horrified on a daily basis at the news reports of both the escalating conflict and, more importantly, the Humanitarian Crisis resulting from it.

I can tell the noble Lord, Lord Wood, that Jordan and Lebanon are playing a vital humanitarian role and we are providing assistance to help alleviate not only the Humanitarian Crisis but the side effects too.

The millions of Syrians who are now refugees as a result of the conflict constitute an Urgent Humanitarian Crisis.

I welcome, of course, the confirmation of the uplift in the UK's commitment to help alleviate the Humanitarian Crisis, but the situation is none the less deteriorating.

The Humanitarian Crisis is bordering on an emergency.

Beyond the Immediate Humanitarian Crisis, the long-term repercussions of the conflict are huge, with an estimated economic cost of more than $48 billion, which is more than 80% of GDP.

Beyond the immediate Humanitarian Crisis, the long-term repercussions of the conflict are huge, with an estimated economic cost of more than $48 billion, which is more than 80% of GDP.

A Humanitarian Crisis is getting worse every single day.

Will such action not escalate the Humanitarian Crisis, with a flood of refugees becoming a tsunami, which would cause the aid agencies immense difficulties?

To those who are not persuaded by the need to relieve the Humanitarian Crisis and who say, “Intervention has nothing to do with us; it will play into the hands of al-Qaeda”, I say that the reverse is true.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that part of the problem is that the legal justification is the Humanitarian Crisis?

However, we shall have to be prepared to do even more in the months ahead, given the immense scale of the Humanitarian Crisis.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that quite the most harrowing aspect of the Humanitarian Crisis is the impact on children?

I believe that that is the largest amount that we have contributed in response to a Humanitarian Crisis, but then this is the largest humanitarian crisis since Rwanda and it has been unfolding over a longer period.

I will cover our objectives in three crucial areas: our response to the Humanitarian Crisis; our efforts on the political process, including relations with the Syrian National Coalition; and our support for a strong international response to the use of chemical weapons.

In order to try to reduce the Terrible Humanitarian Crisis not just in Syria but throughout the region, with the prospect of conflict in Lebanon, does the right hon. Lady agree that the non-governmental organisations are right to seek to work with local organisations, and will she encourage them in that objective?

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the Humanitarian Crisis caused by the ongoing conflict in Syria.

The Government are to be applauded for orchestrating the UK's largest ever response to a Humanitarian Crisis.

I concentrate the rest of my remarks on the impact of This Humanitarian Crisis on Syria's neighbour, Jordan.

I concentrate the rest of my remarks on the impact of this Humanitarian Crisis on Syria's neighbour, Jordan.

Of course, a political solution is urgently needed to stop the fighting and to bring an end to the Humanitarian Crisis.

Such conflict and insecurity of course means that there is a Humanitarian Crisis at the moment that affects the entire country.

It warrants it because it is, as we heard a moment ago, the Biggest Humanitarian Crisis for decades.

Will the Leader of the House allow us Government time to discuss their response to This Humanitarian Crisis?

At the same time, I think Members from across the House should be proud of the fact that we, and the generosity of the British people, have led to more British assistance - £500 million of assistance - going to Jordan and other front-line states, and to those communities in the region that are dealing with This Terrible Humanitarian Crisis.

We have pledged £500 million for the Syrian relief effort, which the Government have said is the United Kingdom's largest ever response to a Humanitarian Crisis.

This represents the United Kingdom's largest ever response to a Humanitarian Crisis.

It is as well for the House continuously to recognise how we as a country are leading the way in helping Syrians suffering from the Humanitarian Crisis.

That would help to bring support to those who are suffering in the Humanitarian Crisis throughout Syria, and it would also provide a good foundation for the Geneva talks and for any settlement reached thereafter.

The Humanitarian Crisis remains our priority and the focus of our efforts.

This represents the UK's largest ever response to a Humanitarian Crisis.

That represents the UK's largest ever response to a Humanitarian Crisis.

There is no doubt that all colleagues mean well, but the enormity of This Humanitarian Crisis means it is imperative for the Government to continue to help as many people as possible - and help the many rather than the few in this case rather than using helping the few as an excuse.

] We have put £600 million into the region - the hon. Gentleman is right: this is the Biggest Humanitarian Crisis, which is why our response is the biggest humanitarian response that this country has ever mounted - in order to help hundreds of thousands of people there.

We think that the solution we have set out, which is to provide the UK's largest ever response to a Humanitarian Crisis, will be more effective in helping in the region, and I think that is the right thing to do.

During 2013, additional funding was agreed for Save the Children's response to Humanitarian Crisis, including projects in Syria, the Philippines and the Central African Republic.

Britain is actually going further than that by making sure that we play our role not just in the Humanitarian Crisis that we have discussed, but in collecting evidence about war crimes so that people can be held to account for the dreadful things that they have done.

This is the UK's largest ever response to a Humanitarian Crisis, and it comes on top of our efforts to secure humanitarian access inside Syria and to provide essential materials such as shelter, blankets and stoves to help vulnerable Syrians to survive the winter.

I think this is an issue on which Members from all parties across the House can genuinely come together and welcome the steps - all the steps - taken by the Government to provide aid and support to those suffering from the Terrible Humanitarian Crisis resulting from the conflict in Syria.

Britain should not go it alone, because we believe that no country alone should have to shoulder the burden of Any Serious Humanitarian Crisis.

That will be welcomed in Wales, where there is a long tradition and history of supporting peoples who are being displaced and threatened by Humanitarian Crisis.

Only when the fighting stops can the conditions for a solution to the Humanitarian Crisis be created, and only then will the men, women and children who have suffered so much and been so cruelly torn from their homes be able to return in safety to their homes and livelihoods, which is what the vast majority of Syrians so dearly wish.

It is a story of human misery and suffering and a growing Humanitarian Crisis on which we cannot turn our back.

So many hon. Members have wanted to speak in this debate because of the sheer scale of the Humanitarian Crisis that is unfolding.

He said: “If the United Kingdom faced the same Humanitarian Crisis it would be the equivalent of three times Scotland's population of 5 million crossing into England and camping out in the Yorkshire dales.

We held an international summit, which was a call to action on the overall issue of protecting girls and women in Humanitarian Crisis situations so that they are not victims of sexual violence.

The UN mission to investigate violations of international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, resulting from the Israeli attacks on the flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian assistance, came to the following conclusions: “The Mission has come to the firm conclusion that a Humanitarian Crisis existed on the31 May 2010 in Gaza.

The Present Humanitarian Crisis seems to affect every aspect of Gaza.

We have to address the Humanitarian Crisis facing us now.

In times of Humanitarian Crisis, when natural disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti occur, state institutions collapse, law and order breaks down, food and medical care are scarce and violence prevails, thus making women particularly vulnerable.

This is the first resolution adopted by the Security Council on the Humanitarian Crisis since the start of the conflict three years ago and it was agreed unanimously.

It is the first resolution that has been adopted by the Security Council on the Humanitarian Crisis since the start of the conflict three years ago, and it was agreed unanimously.

However, the worsening Humanitarian Crisis is compounded by violence not just in Syria but also in Lebanon, where the UK is providing assistance to increase border security, and in Iraq.

What I have tried to add in this debate is that everyone is appalled at the Humanitarian Crisis, even those whom Syria has previously attacked.

On Syria, all sides in the Syrian civil war have been committing unspeakable crimes against the Syrian population, and the resulting Humanitarian Crisis engulfing not only Syrians but Palestinians in their refugee camps is widely acknowledged to be one of the worst we have seen for some time.

First, Russia says that it has acted in defence of Russian compatriots who were in danger from violence and facing a Humanitarian Crisis.

While diplomats attempt to find a lasting solution to the long-standing rivalry that sparked widespread conflict in December, millions of South Sudanese are suffering an Acute Humanitarian Crisis.

It is also extremely alarming to see human rights violations, particularly those recently in Bor, continuing to be committed on both sides, targeting innocent civilians along ethnic lines and resulting in the Massive Humanitarian Crisis that so many of your Lordships have spoken about this evening.

The UN has declared a level 3 emergency - the highest level of Humanitarian Crisis.

It is significant, is it not, that as we began the fourth year of this conflict, the United Nations finally took significant action on27 February and passed resolution 2139, which deals with the Humanitarian Crisis inside Syria?

Is not the central point that the way to solve the Humanitarian Crisis is to bring the conflict to an end?

Even with all the actions that the hon. Gentleman legitimately and fairly mentions, that Humanitarian Crisis is worsening by the day, week and month.

We call upon other nations to contribute their fair share in This Humanitarian Crisis.

Against this, we face a Massive Humanitarian Crisis.

The UK was the first country to deploy a team to assess the Humanitarian Crisis after the attacks.

It is not an add-on, but an essential part of our response to Humanitarian Crisis.

Some of that support had been in Iraq, and now Iraq itself faces a Humanitarian Crisis.

There is a Massive Humanitarian Crisis taking place.

I am not as expert as the hon. Lady on the situations in camps around the world, but I do want to talk a bit about my experience visiting Rwanda and, perhaps more pertinent to the Minister's role, about the UK's role in resettlement and making sure that we play our part, as a nation, to support and tackle the Humanitarian Crisis around the world.

As to what is happening in Israel and Gaza, we all deplore the loss of civilian life, the tragedy and the Humanitarian Crisis taking place on the ground.

My right hon. Friend has rightly highlighted that even before the latest Israeli action the people of Gaza faced a pressing Humanitarian Crisis, caused, for example, by the salination of the aquifer, with all drinking water becoming undrinkable quite soon afterwards.

In addition to the Minister's response to today's general debate on the long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan, will he comment on the Government response to the Humanitarian Crisis currently faced on both sides of the line of control?

In addition to the human rights violations, there is a Humanitarian Crisis caused by the recent floods and the previous earthquake.

It was great that they were given the time to talk freely and explain the situation, particularly the Humanitarian Crisis that the region faces.

We particularly note the offers of assistance to each other by the Governments of India and Pakistan to tackle the Humanitarian Crisis.

Whether or not we are militarily involved in Syria, there is no doubt that the fighting in Syria has been and is intensifying, which means that the Humanitarian Crisis that has already been unfolding in Syria will also intensify.

The advance of ISIL and the continued attrition against its own population by the Assad regime have caused a Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq and Syria no less grave than the political and military one.

The advance of ISIL and the Assad regime's continued attrition against its own population have caused a Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq and Syria no less grave than the political and military one.

Returning to the humanitarian issues that the Foreign Secretary raised, I acknowledge the work of DFID, the UN, the non-governmental organisations and the international community, but in the areas of Iraq and Syria under ISIL control, the response to the Humanitarian Crisis is dependent wholly on local organisations.

Returning to the Humanitarian Crisis in and around Kobane, the Foreign Secretary is right that an estimated 178,000 refugees have crossed the border into Turkey, but many were seeking sanctuary in Kobane and are left there under threat.

The carriers will give us unprecedented flexibility over the next 50 years to deploy our power globally to assist in joint strike fighter operations, peacekeeping, conflict prevention missions and the provision of aid and assistance in times of Humanitarian Crisis.

My Lords, I wonder whether the Minister recognises that this is not just a Humanitarian Crisis.

By not abolishing the card, the Government are refusing to recognise the Humanitarian Crisis that it is causing.

Ending the war, defeating extremism and ending the Humanitarian Crisis require both military pressure and a political settlement which replaces the Assad regime with a Government which can represent all Syrians.

It is the UK's largest ever response to a Humanitarian Crisis and reflects the values of the British people.

This is in addition to the other areas I mentioned that help the people most affected in that region, including the biggest aid package we have ever produced for Any Humanitarian Crisis, and the political efforts to end the crisis in Syria.

Ending the war, defeating extremism and ending the Humanitarian Crisis require both military pressure and a political settlement that replaces the Assad regime with a Government who can represent all Syrians.

The British Government have, rightly, committed £700 million to help those affected by the Syrian conflict, and the UK's largest ever Humanitarian Crisis response reflects the values of the British people.

I underline the point about the work of a number of countries in region to solve This Humanitarian Crisis.

It remains absolutely right that we seek to end the war and to defeat extremism, as well as ending the Humanitarian Crisis, and that is why we must also focus on the political process.

Where is the determination to sort out this conflict, to face up to the Humanitarian Crisis and to get allies to work with us, across Governments, to do something about it?

To return to the question of Nigeria and managing the Humanitarian Crisis, we are working closely with our international partners to react to the large numbers of people who have now been displaced by the conflict in the north-east, an issue that affects not just Nigeria but its close neighbours.

On the point about the UN food vouchers, given the reports last week of the value of those food vouchers having been cut as well as the importance of ensuring the availability of vouchers, what further steps are the British Government taking to encourage international partners to provide a level of resource needed by the United Nations to meet the Humanitarian Crisis?

With some 16 million Yemenis in need of humanitarian aid, Yemen's Humanitarian Crisis is second in scale only to Syria's.

It is a tragedy and a blight on the international community that, six months after the end of last summer's Gaza conflict, people in Gaza are still suffering as a result of a Humanitarian Crisis.

The Humanitarian Crisis there demands that the international community steps up its efforts to get the construction of homes and access to basic services going again.

We are committed to ensuring that there is a united Iraq again at the end of This Humanitarian Crisis.

There is a Humanitarian Crisis, as the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of St Albans said.

Syria's misery shows no sign of ending; Libya appears torn in half; ISIs continues to make gains in Iraq; and Yemen appears to be sliding into a Humanitarian Crisis.

Zimbabwe has huge potential and its people hold huge affection for Britain - but without economic growth, the country risks Another Humanitarian Crisis.

In fact, it is our largest ever single programme of support in a Humanitarian Crisis.

Meanwhile, as we have heard, the Humanitarian Crisis grows in Syria, Iraq and the neighbouring countries of Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, which are bearing a huge burden.

This is an Urgent Humanitarian Crisis, in which the Governments of Burma and its neighbours surely have a responsibility to protect the Rohingya people.

The Khartoum process is clearly not working, and the Humanitarian Crisis starts in north Africa, goes to Italy and will end in Calais.

This is a Humanitarian Crisis and there is rising public concern in this country about it.

Furthermore, we have granted asylum to more than 4,000 Syrians since the start of the Humanitarian Crisis there.

The situation at Calais has, over time, reflected the Humanitarian Crisis and the activities of human traffickers, which are both issues that need to be addressed at source.

We should be proud of our £800 million contribution, the largest ever response by the UK to Any Humanitarian Crisis.

This is a Humanitarian Crisis and the Home Secretary will have the support of Her Majesty's Opposition in dealing with it.

I think it is quite widely thought that the worst that might come quite quickly is a Humanitarian Crisis within Greece.

My Lords, I agree with my noble friend that in preparing for the worst - I alluded earlier to the sufferings of the Greek people - a Humanitarian Crisis would be very serious and possible.

The United Kingdom has pledged £800 million in response to the Humanitarian Crisis, making us the largest bilateral donor after the US.

One of the best criteria for value for money for our projects is to stem the Humanitarian Crisis occurring in the Mediterranean.

I know that people require simple answers to the Humanitarian Crisis and the immigration system.

This is our largest-ever response to a Humanitarian Crisis and makes the UK the world's second-largest bilateral donor to the Syria crisis.

What urgent representations is the Minister making to his European counterparts about making the funds available to deal with This Humanitarian Crisis?

Finally, while it is crucial for us to strengthen border security to ensure that action is being taken in France to address this serious problem, we have a responsibility across Europe to deal with the Humanitarian Crisis that has been increasing the problem.

Following is the full text of the petition: [The petition of residents of the UK, Declares that the dire inhumane situation in Yemen due to the armed militia conflict (civil war) and the coalition bombing has led to thousands of people losing their lives or being injured as well as the destruction of thousands of homes, utilities, ports and airports; further that the United Nations now recognises the situation in Yemen as the world's Biggest Humanitarian Crisis; further that many British citizens and sole dependents and relatives of British citizens are stranded in Yemen; further that the petitioners have concerns about the requirements for settlement visas because the visa requirements cannot be met by many people and because Yemeni nationals who are spouses or children of British citizens cannot cross over into neighbouring countries and cannot apply for such visas as there are no embassies in Yemen; and further that a petition in Liverpool was signed by over 600 individuals.

Following is the full text of the petition: [The petition of residents of the UK, Declares that the dire inhumane situation in Yemen due to the armed militia conflict (civil war) and the coalition bombing has led to thousands of people losing their lives or being injured as well as the destruction of thousands of homes, utilities, ports and airports; further that the United Nations now recognises the situation in Yemen as the world's Biggest Humanitarian Crisis; further that many British citizens and sole dependants and relatives of British citizens are stranded in Yemen; further that the petitioners have concerns about the requirements for settlement visas because the visa requirements cannot be met by many people and because Yemeni nationals who are spouses or children of British citizens cannot cross over into neighbouring countries and cannot apply for such visas as there are no embassies in Yemen; and further that a petition in Liverpool has gathered many signatures.

The proposal that is the subject of this debate focuses narrowly on the EU's attempt to alleviate the burden that has fallen on Italy and Greece in responding to This Humanitarian Crisis.

These are of course laudable medium and long-term objectives - my sub-committee has just launched an inquiry into the EU's agenda on migration, which will address these issues in more detail - but they have no bearing on this proposal, which has a specific, limited goal to deal with the Current Humanitarian Crisis.

These are of course laudable medium and long-term objectives - my sub-committee has just launched an inquiry into the EU's agenda on migration, which will address these issues in more detail - but they have no bearing on this proposal, which has a specific, limited goal to deal with the current Humanitarian Crisis.

This Humanitarian Crisis is happening within the EU's own borders, and the EU's failure to deal with it adequately is undermining its international credibility.

However, above all we are dealing with a Humanitarian Crisis that touches all our consciences, as she said.

I hope that they will recognise that This Great Humanitarian Crisis - the greatest, as has been said, since the end of the Second World War - behoves us to behave as good neighbours.

As the noble Baroness, Lady Prashar, said, the committee's report sets out the reasons why it is not convinced by some of the Government's objections to the proposed decision, before stating: “The Government's approach will do little to help the response to a Humanitarian Crisis within the EU's borders”, and that: “The reputational risk of a continued failure to act, to individual Member States as well as to the EU as a whole, is great”.

The second point that we can all agree on is that, in the words of the noble Lord, Lord Tugendhat, this is a Humanitarian Crisis that impacts on the consciences of us all.

Most of those who spoke in the debate pointed to this as a specific issue about a Humanitarian Crisis.

It is about solidarity and our responsibility - including, if I may say so, our moral responsibility - in This Humanitarian Crisis.

That is the UK's largest ever response to a Humanitarian Crisis.

Having raised the Humanitarian Crisis with the Prime Minister at the first Prime Minister's questions of this Parliament in June, I am glad that there are finally the beginnings of a change in UK Government thinking.

Like most Members, over the past few days I have been inundated with messages of sympathy and support for those suffering as a result of the Humanitarian Crisis unfolding in Europe.

Given that at least part of the Humanitarian Crisis derives from regional instability caused by the Iraq war, I welcome the Prime Minister's statement, because we bear a particular responsibility for it.

The mark of a civilised society is the way in which it deals with a Humanitarian Crisis.

What is this country's capacity to take real action to deal with This Humanitarian Crisis?

The Prime Minister's statement completely fails to realise either the scale or the urgency of the Humanitarian Crisis that faces us.

Since 2011, the UK has been at the forefront of the international response to the Humanitarian Crisis in Syria.

We will look back on this Government's mean response to this heart-rending Humanitarian Crisis and we will be ashamed.

Last week, our First Minister in Scotland convened a summit to consider the Humanitarian Crisis that is unfolding across Europe.

During our Opposition day debate tomorrow, the Scottish National party will elaborate on the action that we believe needs to be taken to deal with This Humanitarian Crisis.

I was talking about German generosity in the face of This Humanitarian Crisis, and I pose this question: on what basis do the UK Government think it is fair for Germany and our other EU neighbours to accept so many of these refugees who have arrived in Europe when the UK turns its back completely on the refugees who have arrived in Europe?

I found it very worrying that yesterday the Prime Minister seemed to conflate issues regarding what is a Humanitarian Crisis with economic migration and, even more worryingly, security and terrorist issues.

I welcome the Prime Minister's statement yesterday that on top of aid spending on the Humanitarian Crisis, which will reach £1 billion, we will be welcoming 20,000 refugees to the UK.

That is the largest ever response to a Humanitarian Crisis.

The people affected by This Humanitarian Crisis are just attempting to do what we would all do in the same situation: protect their families from harm.

This Humanitarian Crisis has been happening ever since the Syrian civil war.

My first point is that this is a refugee and Humanitarian Crisis on an unprecedented scale.

I beg to move, That this House recognises the funding the Government has committed to the humanitarian initiatives to provide sanctuary in camps for refugees across the Middle East; calls for a greater international effort through the United Nations to secure the position of such displaced people; recognises that the Government has committed to accepting 20,000 vulnerable people from camps in Syria over the next five years but calls for a Government report to be laid before the House by12 October 2015 detailing how that number can be increased, encompassing refugees already in Europe and including a plan for the remainder of this year to reflect the overwhelming urgency of This Humanitarian Crisis; further notes that refugees arriving in European Union territory also have a moral and legal right to be treated properly; and, given the pressure on Southern European countries, further calls for the UK to play its full and proper role, in conjunction with European partners, in providing sanctuary to our fellow human beings.

I beg to move, That this House recognises the funding the Government has committed to the humanitarian initiatives to provide sanctuary in camps for refugees across the Middle East; calls for a greater international effort through the United Nations to secure the position of such displaced people; recognises that the Government has committed to accepting 20,000 vulnerable people from camps in Syria over the next five years but calls for a Government report to be laid before the House by12 October 2015 detailing how that number can be increased, encompassing refugees already in Europe and including a plan for the remainder of this year to reflect the overwhelming urgency of this Humanitarian Crisis; further notes that refugees arriving in European Union territory also have a moral and legal right to be treated properly; and, given the pressure on Southern European countries, further calls for the UK to play its full and proper role, in conjunction with European partners, in providing sanctuary to our fellow human beings.

That is one reason why the Government had to look pretty quickly at updating their approach to the Humanitarian Crisis and its scale.

As a first ask, it would be helpful for the Government to accept that it would be good for all of us, in government and opposition, to see a plan laid before Parliament detailing how the number can be increased to encompass refugees already in Europe, and a plan for the remainder of this year to reflect the overwhelming urgency of the Humanitarian Crisis.

In yesterday's emergency debate on the Humanitarian Crisis, a very, very strong case was made.

We should surely recognise that Germany is dealing not only with today's Humanitarian Crisis - [Interruption.

People in Eastleigh and across the UK have watched the Humanitarian Crisis unfold this summer and over the past four years and are asking what we are doing about it and whether we, in this Chamber, are doing everything that is right to help.

That is not the case, as this is a Humanitarian Crisis.

They see This Humanitarian Crisis as an opportunity to build for the future, to make the refugees welcome as part of the wider community, and to draw on their skills and talents as an opportunity for the future of the German economy.

By making the enormous contribution we have made - far more than any other EU country; over 10 times more than France or Italy, which have similar GDP to ours - we have helped stop a Humanitarian Crisis become a humanitarian catastrophe.

We need to recognise the scale of the Whole Humanitarian Crisis and not concentrate just on those who are arriving in Europe.

Although we wish to conduct this debate in a constructive manner, it is not helpful to link this debate - This Humanitarian Crisis - to talk of migration and immigration targets.

When the other great nations in Europe are standing side by side to work together to tackle the largest Humanitarian Crisis in decades on our shore, the UK should not seek to stand back from our responsibility, distancing ourselves from the collective responsibility of European membership.

Does he agree that the Humanitarian Crisis response model is not fit for a long-term crisis and that responding with short-term assistance does not give hope to refugees?

We have granted asylum to more than 5,000 Syrians since the start of the Humanitarian Crisis.

The Humanitarian Crisis in Syria has reached catastrophic proportions and is contributing significantly to the increased flows of people we are seeing across the Mediterranean and into Europe.

In the eyes of the world, I am sorry to say, the Conservatives have turned the nasty party into a nasty Government, with their failure to act quickly in the Present Humanitarian Crisis.

There is complete reluctance by them to be part of the European effort to respond to the Humanitarian Crisis within Europe.

Collective actions are the only way in which to deal with the Current Humanitarian Crisis facing the EU.

We welcome the increase in resettlement of refugees from camps in Syria and the region, but it is too little too late and does nothing to tackle the Humanitarian Crisis unfolding in Europe.

Unfolding across Europe and the north of Africa is a Humanitarian Crisis on a scale not seen since the second world war.

In the face of the Biggest Humanitarian Crisis to hit Europe since world war two, it is just not right for the UK to refuse to take one single refugee from the European mainland.

He spoke about the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen, which certainly worries me.

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the remarks by General John Allen, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, on13 September that the conflict in Syria must be solved at a political level in order to ease the Humanitarian Crisis, whether the Chiefs of Staff have formally discussed comprehensive strategy options for the defeat of ISIL, and peace and reconstruction in Syria.

This is, after all, the same regime that is causing a Humanitarian Crisis through aerial bombardment of its own people, forcing thousands of people to flee.

But 2015 surely can also be a year when there is hope for our world, not just This Great Humanitarian Crisis.

These global challenges have resulted in the Worst Humanitarian Crisis for widows and their children since World War Two.

Could not the public have legitimately expected the Home Secretary to answer a question about the Biggest Humanitarian Crisis since the second world war?

The Humanitarian Crisis has seen half the population of Syria leave their homes - millions to neighbouring countries, which have borne the greatest burden - and hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians from Syria have been killed, the vast majority at the hands of Assad's forces.

Our armed forces, in particular our Royal Navy, lend support to, on average, about one Humanitarian Crisis a year.

The Humanitarian Crisis has seen half the population of Syria flee their homes - including, let us not forget, millions to neighbouring countries, which have borne the greatest burden - as well as hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrian civilians killed, the vast majority of them at the hands of Assad's forces.

Five of the six pages of the European Council conclusions rightly deal with the Humanitarian Crisis.

The decision by some Governments in Europe to close borders has severely impacted their neighbours, thus exacerbating the Humanitarian Crisis, so will the Prime Minister call on Viktor Orban of Hungary and others to reopen borders and engage in meaningful discussion to tackle this growing crisis, or is there no point because the Prime Minister's refusal to take a single one of the 600,000 refugees in Europe has destroyed his credibility among Europe's leaders?

The Prime Minister is well aware that this House has continued to consider the Humanitarian Crisis and the refugees from Syria.

As the Humanitarian Crisis affecting refugees from Syria illustrates, Scotland has a proud record of welcoming people from all over the world.

Syria is facing a Humanitarian Crisis as a result of the continued assault by the Assad regime on the civilian population and the brutal occupation of a significant part of the country by ISIL.

My Lords, is the Minister aware of the concerns that were recently expressed by the United Nations about the potential effects, as winter sets in, of the current fuel and food shortages in Nepal, and the likelihood of a very Serious Humanitarian Crisis?

The Humanitarian Crisis has reached catastrophic proportions.

We have also provided military support in times of Humanitarian Crisis; for example, fighting Ebola in West Africa.

While the priorities for this summit will undoubtedly focus on financing and the immediate scale of the Humanitarian Crisis around the world today, will the UK Government do all they can to ensure that the summit also addresses the issue of child protection, particularly in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters, when human traffickers and others who would abuse and exploit children move all too quickly to trap and ensnare them, sometimes taking them across borders to carry out their evil deeds?

Finally, we must not underestimate the scale of the Humanitarian Crisis facing Syria, or the time and resources needed to help bring order to that country.

We cannot allow the Government to let their own party disagreements on Europe and immigration stand in the way of a moral and compassionate response to what has rightly been described as the Worst Humanitarian Crisis that, please God, most of us will ever witness in our lifetimes.

We cannot allow the Government to let their own party disagreements on Europe and immigration stand in the way of a moral and compassionate response to what has rightly been described as the worst Humanitarian Crisis that, please God, most of us will ever witness in our lifetimes.

A European relocation scheme should be a response to an emergency situation - a Humanitarian Crisis.

That is our biggest-ever response to a Humanitarian Crisis.

These people simply saw a Humanitarian Crisis and wanted to assist.

She said that only one previous request to the regime to allow the delivery of aid to Madaya was granted, suggesting that the international community has for some time known about the potential for a Humanitarian Crisis and about the actions of the Assad regime.

She said that the Government would help where they can, subject to state-aid rules - but there is a Humanitarian Crisis on our doorsteps and we really need to see action.

This is the Biggest Humanitarian Crisis since the second world war, but instead of playing our full part, the Prime Minister has spent recent weeks stomping around Europe with his own list of demands.

We have to say what it is: although we are responding to a Humanitarian Crisis, which is referred to as a migration crisis, we are also responding to genocide.

However, Humanitarian Crisis funding is not sufficient for long-term planning, particularly when crises are protracted over many years.

The Secretary of State will be aware that the Biggest Humanitarian Crisis we face is the refugee crisis.

The UK must do more to alleviate This Humanitarian Crisis and ensure that there is access to areas where people are besieged and starving, and every effort must be made to ensure that the delayed peace talks begin.

We are not talking about a country far away that we do not need to care about; it really matters to our future, not just because of the Humanitarian Crisis but, more importantly, because of how it will affect Britain and the rest of Europe.

Let me start by addressing the scale of the Humanitarian Crisis.

As well as those struggling with the Humanitarian Crisis, medics in Yemen are struggling to do their job of patching up the people hit by bombs and injured in conflict, because they are coming under attack themselves.

5 million people have been displaced by the conflict, and many thousands may die from malnutrition and the impact of the Humanitarian Crisis.

I want to add to hon. Members' comments on the help of NGOs and others with the Humanitarian Crisis.

Many Members have referred to the Humanitarian Crisis, and that is the issue that really upsets and depresses so many of us when we hear statistic after statistic about the effect of conflict and war on our fellow human beings.

Syria is now not only the world's biggest and most Urgent Humanitarian Crisis; its far-reaching consequences are being felt across Europe and touching our lives in Britain.

Not only is Syria the world's biggest and most Urgent Humanitarian Crisis, but its far-reaching consequences are being felt across Europe and touching our lives here in Britain.

Not only is Syria the world's biggest and most urgent Humanitarian Crisis, but its far-reaching consequences are being felt across Europe and touching our lives here in Britain.

The easiest thing in politics is to say, “Do more”, but may I say how proud I am of the Secretary of State, the Prime Minister and the UK for our response to This Humanitarian Crisis?

Why do the Government think that the right thing to do in response to a Humanitarian Crisis is to create a structure that is all about making money - profits created by handing over taxpayers' money to private companies?

The First Minister of Scotland has said that we should be in no doubt that what we are witnessing is a Humanitarian Crisis on a scale not seen in Europe since the second world war.

However, there is acceptance that we have an international duty to respond to Humanitarian Crisis.

I did not agree with all of what he said, but he made some important points about our moral obligation and how we should raise our sights as high as we can when considering what we can do about the Humanitarian Crisis that is upon us.

It is deeply disappointing that, instead of stepping up and offering leadership in tackling This Humanitarian Crisis, the Prime Minister has chosen to denigrate refugees seeking asylum and to treat them as political pawns.

While the referendum campaign is in progress in the United Kingdom, Europe will continue to host and witness the Worst Humanitarian Crisis we have seen in the past 70 years.

Given the overwhelming urgency of the Humanitarian Crisis, the House would appreciate it if the Minister could find a way to provide Members with exact detail on that.

The UK is working across the EU to ensure that a Humanitarian Crisis is averted and that the most vulnerable people are protected and provided with shelter.

We all recognise the important role that the Department for International Development has played in responding to the Humanitarian Crisis.

Yesterday, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees warned that Europe faces an Imminent Humanitarian Crisis, largely of its own making.

One part is responding to the Humanitarian Crisis itself.

One commentator has suggested that the conflict contains almost every national security threat that we can think of: it is a terrorist safe haven; it has opened up new fronts for Hezbollah; it has allowed training camps for western jihadis to flourish; there is the potential use of chemical and biological weapons; we have the potential for rogue states developing; and we have seen sectarian violence, the marginalisation of reformers and moderates, a massive flow of refugees, a Humanitarian Crisis and destabilisation across the Middle East, and the growing prospect of regional war.

That compromise would be to create the same basis as we do for those who are here having fled from a Humanitarian Crisis.

There is no simple, easy solution to This Humanitarian Crisis - there are no silver bullets - but we cannot continue to watch over a crisis of this magnitude without sharing a greater sense of responsibility.

This is the thick end of the wedge of the Humanitarian Crisis that we are facing, and it is an obvious and very identifiable need that we could do something about.

As all people agree, it is the Worst Humanitarian Crisis since the end of the Second World War and it is happening right on Europe's doorstep.

This is a Humanitarian Crisis on the most enormous scale.

The Humanitarian Crisis started when the Rohingya fled to camps in 2012, and senior members of the nationalist Arakan National Party continue to whip up hatred against them.

My Lords, the Minister has said that this is a Humanitarian Crisis.

In addition, we co-hosted the recent London-Syria conference, securing pledges of more than $11 billion, the largest amount ever raised in one day for a Humanitarian Crisis.

Specifically in Somalia, we have made additional funding available to tackle This Humanitarian Crisis to try to do precisely what the hon. Lady suggests, which is so important.

Let us also be clear, however, that we have a keen national interest and a moral responsibility to ensure that effective systems are in place to tackle the worst Humanitarian Crisis in Europe in a decade.

3 billion to tackling the Humanitarian Crisis, which is giving people a sense of hope and opportunity through work and education.

We hope that this would, in turn, help stem the increasing Humanitarian Crisis and perhaps facilitate the reinstatement of aid, suspended by some members of the international community following the commencement of these disturbances, as soon as possible.

Along with many others, we in the SNP have been arguing for months that the UK should take a fair share of refugees and asylum seekers from Europe in the face of the Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis.

That raised more than $12 billion in one day, the largest amount ever for a Humanitarian Crisis.

Thirdly, the UK is playing a full role, alongside our partners, in addressing the Humanitarian Crisis.

With a country such as Yemen, where there is a Humanitarian Crisis, it would certainly be to the benefit of the people and those suffering children to be brought into our country, away from ever more danger.

The response to the Humanitarian Crisis by the Department for International Development has been welcome.

If we cannot secure land access and if the only way is by air, will the Government support the UN in pushing ahead with that to ensure that there is not a Humanitarian Crisis and that people do not starve?

We are often blind to the daily challenges so that many people face around the world - the Humanitarian Crisis that might not be reported in the news, and the underlying problems at the root of things in some nations that make a quick fix an impossible task.

I am in regular contact with the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friendthe Member for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge), who has responsibility for Africa, about what he is doing on the diplomatic front and what we are doing in terms of planning contingencies in the event of an escalation of the Humanitarian Crisis.

We have announced an additional £15 million to support Tanzania in its preparedness for an escalation and we have released money and technical expertise to be deployed in Burundi to support any escalation in the Humanitarian Crisis.

I thank the hon. Lady for throwing a spotlight on a Humanitarian Crisis that is under-reported and underfunded.

Military action in Iraq not only turned a Humanitarian Crisis into a disaster, but it also convulsed the entire region, just as intervention in Libya in 2011 has sadly left the country in the grip of warring militias and terror groups.

We are pursuing a comprehensive approach by responding to the Immediate Humanitarian Crisis and using our aid programmes to deliver stability, jobs and livelihoods, reducing the pressures that force people to migrate.

The problem faced by the Department for International Development in Basraand the surrounding provinces in 2003 was not the Humanitarian Crisis that we had anticipated, but a different set of circumstances altogether.

The Humanitarian Crisis we have seen since could have been avoided and a fertile recruiting ground for extremists would not have emerged from the chaos.

We are pursuing a comprehensive approach, both responding to the Immediate Humanitarian Crisis and using our aid programmes to bring stability, jobs and livelihoods, reducing the pressures that force people to migrate.