Further supplementary memorandum submitted
by the Department for International Development
DFID ANSWERS TO
FURTHER WRITTEN
QUESTIONS SUBMITTED
BY THE
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
1. Whether there is potential within the
agreement [EU Association] to provide greater access for Palestinian
goods?
The EU/Israel Association Agreement applies
only to goods produced within Israel. Goods produced within the
Palestinian Territories already receive tariff preferences for
exports to the EU under the EC/PLO Agreement. However Israeli
restrictions on freedom of movement for Palestinians and their
goods limit physically the export of these goods. Lifting restrictions
on freedom of movement would be the single most valuable action
to improve the humanitarian and economic situation for the Palestinian
people. The European Union has taken the opportunities provided
by the EU/Israel Association Agreement, such as the EU/Israel
Association Council on 17/18 November, to keep the pressure on
Israel to improve freedom of movement for Palestinians as well
as fulfilling their other roadmap commitments. We believe that
close engagement with both the Israeli and the Palestinian sides
is the best way to promote progress towards a peaceful settlement.
However the EU's relationship with those who implement policies
that have negative impacts on dialogue and negotiations will inevitably
be affected.
2. What is the relationship between funding
to the OPT from DFID's Middle East and North Africa Department
in London and the Civil Society Department in East Kilbride? Are
you confident that the Civil Society Challenge Fund can respond
with adequate flexibility to the funding needs of projects delivering
emergency services in a situation of military occupation?
The vast majority of DFID's funding for Palestinians
is managed by the Middle East and North Africa Department (MENAD),
which has spent £30-£40 million per year for the last
three years. The Civil Society Challenge Fund (CSCF) is a separate
funding source for UK NGOs to take the initiative in developing
projects focusing on advocacy and rights for poor people. It is
managed by DFID's Information and Civil Society Department (ICSD)
as a worldwide scheme, and currently funds two small projects
in the Palestinian Territory. Some UK NGOs that receive funding
from ICSD under DFID Programme Partnership Agreements for their
work around the world also have programmes with Palestinians.
MENAD sees and comments on new proposals from CSCF in the Palestinian
Territory. MENAD and CSCF have experienced similar implementation
challenges during the past few years, in adapting projects that
were designed pre-Intifada to a conflict environment. DFID is
sympathetic to the particular challenges of working in the Palestinian
Territory, and stands ready to consider—within budgetary
constraints—requests from partners to adapt project activities
and timescales. MENAD and ICSD consult on issues of operational
policy which affect all DFID funded NGOs working in the Palestinian
Territory, for example when the UK Government's travel advice
restricts the movement of UK citizens. We are looking to strengthen
our relationship with NGOs through the recently established DFID-NGO
Platform Working Group. This will involve DFID staff from ICSD
and MENAD, and will provide a forum for discussing issues of joint
concern and interest.
26 November 2003
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