To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the outcomes of UK financial support for the Somali Transitional Federal Government. (144178)

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 14 June 2007, Official Report, columns 1250-51W, which outlines the details, effectiveness and tangible examples of the UK’s support to the Somali Transitional Federal Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his assessment is of the adequacy of the level of humanitarian funding to Somalia. (144180)

Our assessment is that funding for humanitarian activities is adequate, but we remain concerned about access issues for agencies trying to work on the ground, and about the continuing restrictions being placed on humanitarian actors by the Transitional Federal Government.

The United Nations appeal is $262 million (£132 million), of which 54 per cent. is currently funded. The ICRC appeal is 46 million Swiss francs (£18.7 million), of which 57 per cent. has been received and 72 per cent. pledged.

The UK is committed to addressing humanitarian needs in Somalia. So far in 2007, DFID has committed £6.3 million in additional funds to help those worst affected by the fighting and the ongoing humanitarian needs. We keep in close contact with UN agencies and our partners on the ground to ensure that DFID’s humanitarian response fits the immediate needs of the most vulnerable.