PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Libya and Sahel: Politics and Government (4 March 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2020 to Question 20480 on Libya and Sahel: Politics and Government, which bilateral and multi-lateral programmes he is planning to increase in (a) the Sahel region and (b) Libya.

Asked by:
Dame Harriett Baldwin (Conservative)

On 25 February, the Minister for Africa attended the first meeting of the Sahel Alliance General Assembly and G5 Leaders' Summit in Mauritania, where he reaffirmed the UK's commitment to increased efforts to improve security and encourage development in the Sahel. The UK is one of the largest humanitarian donors to the region, and provided over £450 million in bilateral humanitarian and development assistance to the Sahel between 2015 and 2019. Last August, we also committed £30million to the Sahel and surrounding countries to support access to education for 100,000 children in crisis areas.

The British Government continues to support Libya through the Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF), supporting the delivery of greater security and resilience; promoting a more inclusive political dialogue; and boosting economic development. The UK funds a humanitarian programme in Libya focussed on health care and humanitarian coordination. As part of our current £75 million migration programme along the Central Mediterranean Route, we have allocated over £7 million to humanitarian assistance and protection for migrants and refugees in Libya, including targeted healthcare provision. Decisions on future UK funding will be taken in the context of the Spending Review.

Answered by:
Mr James Cleverly (Conservative)
12 March 2020