Speeches by Mundell.

“Are you doing that proactively, in the sense that you look at the situation and think, “Well, we could do this.”, or do they ask you for it? What is the balance between proactivity and reactivity?”

“That comes to the wider question, which we have discussed in the context of other crisis-affected areas, such as Yemen: what development work can be meaningfully done in an environment of such heightened insecurity and instability?”

“That comes to the wider question, which we have discussed in the context of other crisis-affected areas, such as Yemen: what development work can be meaningfully done in an environment of such heightened insecurity and instability?”

“Following on from that, Chris, how does the displacement crisis that we see in the north impact on BII investment choices, and indeed on the capacity for businesses to operate, given that people may or may not be moving about within the region?”

“Against that backdrop, how would you rate how you are doing?”

“Following on from that, Chris, how does the displacement crisis that we see in the north impact on BII investment choices, and indeed on the capacity for businesses to operate, given that people may or may not be moving about within the region?”

“Turning to nutrition, and specifically malnutrition, I found it quite remarkable that you could visit Lagos and Abuja and not know that one of Africa and the world’s worst nutritional crises was happening in northern Nigeria, because there appears to be an institutional inability to talk about it. Does that not impede …”

“Are you satisfied, though, that the Nigerian Government accepts that the malnutrition that is prevalent in parts of the north is a contributor to instability and therefore needs to be tackled as part of bringing stability to the north?”

“I very much understand the theory of what you are saying. Do you think there is any evidence on the ground that that is working, in the sense that job opportunities or business opportunities have either reduced the number of people who have moved or induced people to come back to their local area?”

“To follow on, in almost neighbouring Ghana, there have been what I would certainly regard as very negative developments. Is there any sign of that sort of movement in Nigeria, in terms of criminalisation going further and more restrictive laws being proposed?”

“But will you do that in relation to that investment? Will you look to see whether it has had any impact on people who might have been drawn into the terror organisations or people who might have been displaced if the investment had not been made?”

“Fred, what is your assessment of the latest progress in US peace talks?”

“What is required to create a lasting peace?”

“I have one further question. We are told that within the areas of conflict, as part of the consequence of the conflict, even if local food is available people are not able to access it because food coming in from Rwanda is given preference over local foodstuffs. Is that something that is contributing to the hunger situ…”

“What about in relation to the pooling of efforts? Could the various organisations involved work better together?”

“Can we come back to what you were saying about the reduction of resources and particularly focus on the reduction of UN resources and its role in co-ordinating the humanitarian response? What has been the impact of that?”

“Has the Foreign Secretary made any assessment of what impact the conflict is having on the horrendous humanitarian situation in Yemen? Given Iran’s continued support for the Houthis, does she believe that in discussions to end the conflict there will be some opportunity to make a positive impact on that conflict?”

“What about in relation to the pooling of efforts? Could the various organisations involved work better together?”

“Fred, were you aware that the UK Development Minister recently announced a package of support for the DRC, including significant initiatives to mobilise investment? Will the approach by the UK Government tackle the challenges faced by the DRC?”

“I saw you nodding, Hélène. Are you in agreement with what Fred says?”