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Vicky Ford: I am delighted to say that since polio was detected in Malawi in February the government there has led an incredible vaccination campaign, reaching 3.5 million children and covering the full target population. I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to the government and health workers of Malawi for such an incredible achievement. I had the huge honour of meeting the Minister for...
Vicky Ford: As outlined in the International Development Strategy, strengthening health systems is at the heart of the UK's long-term approach to improving global health. To make sure we can continue to lead with expertise and maximise the impact of our Official Development Assistance spend, we will increase our investment in research on 'what works' and science and technological innovations to...
Vicky Ford: ...not raised the treatment of these specific people so far, our High Commission in Kampala has repeatedly raised concerns about freedom of expression issues with the Ugandan Government. I [Minister Ford] raised these concerns with President Museveni and Foreign Minister Odongo during my visit to Uganda on 19 January 2022. I [Minister Ford] stressed the importance of Uganda upholding their...
Vicky Ford: ...as representative and inclusive as possible and that it leads to the development of a new constitution and free and fair elections according to the terms agreed by the African Union. I, [Minister Ford] have written to the Chadian Minister for Foreign Affairs congratulating him on the recent Doha Agreement on the participation of politico-military movements in the National Dialogue and...
Vicky Ford: The UK is deeply concerned by rising humanitarian need across the Sahel, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine having a significant impact on the food security situation in Africa. We are a major humanitarian donor and have supported 6 million people with life-saving assistance in Mali since 2019. We are working with partners through our humanitarian programmes to address urgent food insecurity...
Vicky Ford: The policy commitments undertaken by the African Development Bank (AfDB) as part of the seventh General Capital Increase have been published as part of the Bank's Annual Report (Appendix 10, page 81 https://www.afdb.org/en/annualreport). This includes an update on progress against these commitments with the Bank assessing that 79 percent have been completed. The policy commitments undertaken...
Vicky Ford: About 2.2 million people in the Central African Republic (CAR) were projected to experience high levels of acute food insecurity between April and August 2022 due to conflict, population displacement and high food prices. Over half the population requires humanitarian assistance and one in four Central Africans have been displaced. The UK is currently the fourth largest donor to CAR’s...
Vicky Ford: The British High Commission in Islamabad is closely monitoring the situation regarding the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, but any decision to progress charges would be a matter for Pakistan’s judicial system. At this time of terrible tragedy for the people of Pakistan, we do welcome the call from all across the political spectrum and divide to set aside their differences and work...
Vicky Ford: Putin is using food and fuel as weapons of war. The UK has helped to facilitate the release of Ukrainian grain through technical advice, military assistance and practical equipment, as well as diplomatic efforts led by the Foreign Secretary, which I am sure she will continue as Prime Minister. We are supporting the vulnerable globally, both directly and through our influence in multilateral...
Vicky Ford: The UK has one of the strongest systems for combating international illicit finance—a system that, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we have further strengthened under this Government through the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022. Through the Russian elites, proxies and oligarchs taskforce, we work closely with international partners to ensure that there is nowhere...
Vicky Ford: The catastrophic floods in Pakistan and appalling droughts across the horn of Africa are just two examples of where a destabilising climate is threatening the lives and livelihoods of tens of millions of people. In this context, the COP26 President, my right hon. Friend the Member for Reading West (Alok Sharma), Whitehall teams and our diplomatic network are working with Egypt as COP27...
Vicky Ford: International observers will monitor Brazil’s elections in October, including from the Organisation of American States. They are experienced and well regarded. The independence of Brazil’s supreme electoral court is recognised internationally and its electronic voting machines have been widely recognised for speed, efficiency and security, but, as in many elections around the world, there...
Vicky Ford: I know that the whole House will want to join me in sending our deepest condolences to the people of Pakistan as they suffer the consequences of this devastating flooding. We in the UK stand shoulder to shoulder with our Pakistani friends and will continue to provide support as they respond to and recover from this disaster. We were one of the first countries to announce funding to respond to...
Vicky Ford: The UK continues to call on the South Sudanese authorities to hold perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) to account, end impunity and take additional measures to protect civilians. In November 2021 the UK launched a Call to Action to protect Children Born of Sexual Violence, which South Sudan formally endorsed. In South Sudan we fund a Gender Adviser who works within the...
Vicky Ford: UK aid is supporting improvements to the whole Ethiopian health system. In areas affected by conflict and crises, temporary and mobile clinics are being used to reach displaced populations. The Women's Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme is expanding access to sexual and reproductive health and rights in 17 countries across Africa, including Ethiopia. WISH works in Northern Ethiopia...
Vicky Ford: We are aware of reports of oil pollution in South Sudan, particularly in Paloich, Melut County and some parts of the Ruweng Administrative Area, where oil leaks have been exacerbated by flooding. The Sudd Institute have reported complaints by communities regarding the high prevalence of petroleum pollution, allegedly causing disease and reproductive health issues, including birth defects,...
Vicky Ford: The UK Government continuously monitors political, economic and environmental developments in South Sudan, including oil production and pollution. UK Government officials have raised environmental concerns with the petroleum industry as part of our wider discussions with the South Sudanese Ministry of Petroleum. We work in close coordination with development partners and civil activists who...
Vicky Ford: We are concerned by the threat posed by IS-affiliated groups in northern Mozambique and regularly discuss the security situation with Gemfields and other UK headquartered companies operating in Mozambique. We are working in partnership with the Government of Mozambique, the private sector and international partners, to address the drivers of the conflict and build resilience to violent...
Vicky Ford: Colombia is a UK Human Rights Priority Country and UK ministers and senior officials regularly discuss security issues with the Colombian Government and in multilateral fora. Most recently, our Permanent Representative at the United Nations raised the need to ensure security for vulnerable communities affected by violence, displacement and confinement at the UN Security Council on 14 July....
Vicky Ford: The Aid Transparency Index takes place every two years and this is the first review since DFID and FCO merged. FCDO ranked as the 4th highest performing bilateral donor and was classed as "good". We are examining the findings of the review to help improve our rating in future assessments. Transparency helps improve accountability, efficiency and effectiveness and FCDO remains committed to...