To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department’s Andean Unit; and if he will make a statement. (120421)

In late 2006, DFID commissioned an independent evaluation of the Regional Assistance Plan for Latin America. This involved a visit to Bolivia and Peru, and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society, World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank colleagues. The evaluation concluded that to date, the DFID Andes office has had significant impact in strengthening the poverty focus of the international financial institutions, and in disseminating innovative approaches to development in the Andes region and beyond.

Once the evaluation report is finalised, DFID will share it with partners, and use it to examine options for future engagement in the Andes region.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had on the future of his Department’s Andean Unit. (120422)

At present, planning is under way for the successor to the current Regional Assistance Plan in Latin America. A range of options are being considered, including how the Department will engage in the Andean region. Officials have had lengthy discussions on future plans with colleagues in the international financial institutions (World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank) as well as UK NGO’s working in the region. A recently-commissioned independent evaluation of DFID’s work in the Andes found the office to have had significant impact in improving the poverty focus of the international financial institutions.

To date, no decision has been made on how DFID will work in the Andes region. I will hold discussions with officials on this in due course, and a decision will be made in the coming months.