HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN INDONNESIA

Early day motion 1624, tabled 28 July 1998 by Brian White (Labour). Signed by 50 members.

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.

Signatures by party: Labour 41, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour/Co-operative 2.