Humanitarian Situation In Indonnesia

EDM number 1624 in 1997-98, proposed by Brian White on 28/07/1998.

That this House notes with grave concern the reports from the Indonesian government that 40 per cent of the population is now in poverty due to the ongoing economic crisis; recognises that the resultant humanitarian crisis has been magnified by serious food shortages in rural areas due to the El Nino weather system; understands that the most serious short-term effects are not financial but humanitarian as up to 45 per cent of infants are malnourished, possibly a quarter of a million children have left school mid-term to earn an income for their families, and the instances of street children, child labour and child prostitution have risen dramatically; regrets that the international community continues to underestimate the severity and depth of the crisis; is aware that measures instituted by multilateral financial institutions may not be effectively addressing the problems to alleviate hunger and poverty; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government urgently to implement aid projects and directly support local civil society organisations, international non-governmental organisations and United Nations agencies in the short-term to reverse the deteriorating situation of the most vulnerable groups in Indonesia.

This motion has been signed by a total of 50 MPs.