Speeches by Harding.

“We are struggling to gather any detailed information about the integrated security fund programming across Nigeria and the Sahel. Can you give us a brief overview of it?”

“On the SPRiNG programme, which is FCDO funded, experts regularly raise the importance of localising responses to instability. The SPRiNG programme funding, however, goes almost entirely to a private sector contractor. Are you content that Tetra Tech works sufficiently closely with local organisations?”

“Has the Committee seen that?”

“Centrally managed programmes are being cut by 42% across the board. Has an equality impact assessment been done on the impact of this across the Nigeria programming?”

“On ODA allocations, at the same time that humanitarian need, displacement and the threat of insurgent groups are rising, international funding for Nigeria, including through UN agencies, is falling. Are you concerned that those problems will spiral out of control without significantly increased funding?”

“On the SPRiNG programme, which is FCDO funded, experts regularly raise the importance of localising responses to instability. The SPRiNG programme funding, however, goes almost entirely to a private sector contractor. Are you content that Tetra Tech works sufficiently closely with local organisations?”

“We are struggling to gather any detailed information about the integrated security fund programming across Nigeria and the Sahel. Can you give us a brief overview of it?”

“Are you aware of any programmes that are being cut by the UK?”

“How far did she have to travel?”

“I want to ask one more question on gold. Most people in the UK are not aware that the gold around their neck comes from conflict zones. How difficult would a campaign such as blood diamonds be for conflict gold? Obviously, you cannot easily trace the country of origin, so how difficult would that be for a public campai…”

“And then it goes out of Dubai into Hong Kong and Switzerland and into—”

“Alongside what is happening on the west bank, in Lebanon, more than 1 million people have been forcibly displaced. The Guardian has reported that Israeli strikes on medical facilities in Nabatieh have killed health workers and ambulance crews; it notes that such incidents are becoming increasingly common. The UN is cle…”

“So are you saying that the sanctions have been useful or not? Or could they be better?”

“Turning to armed actors, how can we hold them to account? What are the challenges there?”

“Are you aware of any programmes that are being cut by the UK?”

“Hélène, that is really helpful, thank you. Specifically in terms of gold, you say that the UK can leverage its influence. What does that look like in practice?”

“Can I just clarify that? Are you saying that the gold goes via Dubai?”

“I want to ask one more question on gold. Most people in the UK are not aware that the gold around their neck comes from conflict zones. How difficult would a campaign such as blood diamonds be for conflict gold? Obviously, you cannot easily trace the country of origin, so how difficult would that be for a public campai…”

“How far did she have to travel?”

“Hélène, that is really helpful, thank you. Specifically in terms of gold, you say that the UK can leverage its influence. What does that look like in practice?”