asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will consider the setting up of a Special Task Force composed of the various elements required to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to areas of disaster and emergency. [HL1463]
We do not believe that the setting up of a special task force for humanitarian emergencies is necessary or desirable, as this would duplicate mechanisms already in place internationally through the United Nations and nationally through the Department for International Development.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will raise in the United Nations the desirability of securing agreement among member nations for the establishment of an international response force to provide speedy humanitarian responses to urgent needs and natural disasters. [HL1464]
We do not believe that the setting up of a separate United Nations disaster response force is necessary. The United Nations already has the capability to deploy at very short notice UN disaster assessment and co-ordination teams into countries immediately following an occurrence or early warning of a disaster. These teams, made up of experienced emergency managers from around the world, work in support of UN organisations in the affected country and when requested by the national government.