Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what (a) information and (b) sources informed the decision not to renew funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the next financial year; and what assessment he has made of the potential implications of that decision on future UK funding for humanitarian relief efforts for Palestinians.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK is appalled by allegations that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned. We are pausing an future funding of UNRWA while we review these concerning allegations. The pause will remain in place until we are able to review the allegations. Any future funding decisions will be taken after this time.
We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it. This support is helping people in Gaza get food, water, shelter and medicines. The UK is providing £60 million in humanitarian assistance to support partners including the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) to respond to critical food, fuel, water, health, shelter and security needs in Gaza.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make an assessment of the Israeli government's compliance with the provisional measures set forth by the International Court of Justice in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK is appalled by allegations that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned. The UK is pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations. Any future funding decisions will be taken after this point. Further questions on the investigation are a matter for the UN.
However, we remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it. Our commitment to trebling aid to Gaza still stands. The UK is providing £60 million in humanitarian assistance to support partners including the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) to respond to critical food, fuel, water, health, shelter and security needs in Gaza.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of funding for the UN relief and works agency for palestine refugees in the near east (UNRWA) in the context of Israeli military action in Gaza and the West Bank.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK is appalled by allegations that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned. The UK is pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations. Any future funding decisions will be taken after this point. Further questions on the investigation are a matter for the UN.
However, we remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it. Our commitment to trebling aid to Gaza still stands. The UK is providing £60 million in humanitarian assistance to support partners including the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) to respond to critical food, fuel, water, health, shelter and security needs in Gaza.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Libya's climate vulnerability on peace and stability in that country.
Answered by David Rutley
The devastating floods in eastern Libya in September 2023 underscore how climate vulnerability exacerbates the untenable political status quo in Libya. The UK believes an inclusive, representative political solution that delivers long-term stability and security is the key to ensuring effective governance. Libya has domestic funds available for its recovery. The challenge for reconstruction is the absence of financial transparency through a body which reflects the views of all Libyans across geographic and political divides. The UK is fully committed to supporting Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Bathily's efforts to drive forward a UN-facilitated, Libyan-led political process.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the political situation in Libya on regional stability.
Answered by David Rutley
The current political impasse leaves Libya vulnerable to external powers seeking to sow instability in the region for their own gain, including hostile state actors and terrorist groups. For example, stagnation on the political process has allowed the Russian Wagner Group to conduct destabilising activities, to further their aims at the expense of Libyans, whilst using Libya as a base to destabilise the region. The UK-drafted UNSCR-2570, agreed unanimously in April 2021, makes clear that all foreign forces and mercenaries must leave Libya without delay, including the Russian Wagner Group. The UK government remains clear that a political solution is needed to mitigate these destabilising activities and deliver for the Libyan people.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his counterparts (a) in Libya and (b) internationally on de-escalating tensions in Libya.
Answered by David Rutley
We continue to engage with Libyan interlocutors to encourage them to work constructively with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Bathily as he seeks to facilitate a political agreement. This aims to address the underlying issues preventing elections, as demonstrated by the UK-led UN Presidential Statement on 16 March. We support SRSG Bathily's efforts to outline a way forward to a unified Government, and continue to work with Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Turkey, UAE and the US in support of the UN-led political process.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the civil war in Sudan on regional stability.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The conflict in Sudan threatens regional stability. The UK is pursuing all diplomatic avenues with influential partner countries and institutions such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and African Union (AU), to help end the fighting, stop human rights violations and increase much-needed humanitarian assistance violence. Since 15 April, 1.6 million people have been displaced outside of Sudan, many fleeing to neighbouring countries. The UK recognises the significant pressure that the Sudan crisis is putting on neighbouring countries and commends them for the support they are providing. We are helping those fleeing to neighbouring countries as a result of the conflict, with £7.75 million to South Sudan. This includes a £3.5 million allocation for food security in the Maban refugee camps, and £15 million to Chad.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his counterparts (a) in Sudan and (b) internationally on de-escalating tensions in Sudan.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
Since my Written Ministerial Statement of 30 November 2023, the UK has continued to call upon the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to effect a ceasefire, protect civilians and enable full humanitarian access to alleviate the Sudanese people's suffering. The UK has also continued to work with a wide range of countries and bodies, including traditional allies, Gulf and African partners, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union and the UN, to achieve these goals and to take forward a sustained and meaningful peace process that leads to the resumption of civilian rule in Sudan.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the political situation in Somalia on peace in the region.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
As a close partner of Somalia, the UK is committed to help to build a safer, freer, and more secure country for all Somalis. We are working to support the Federal Government's ambitions to deliver political reform and combat al-Shabaab (AS) a top UK counter-terrorism priority that has significant implications for regional security. We believe that the stability of Somalia is dependent on political reconciliation and a sustainable, inclusive political settlement between the Government and the Federal Member states. This is in the interests of peace in the Horn of Africa.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his counterparts (a) in Somalia and (b) internationally on de-escalating tensions in Somalia.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The UK regularly engages with the Federal Government of Somalia and international partners to discuss how best to support Somalia's political, security and development objectives, including through our role as penholder in the UN Security Council. We consistently call for dialogue to resolve political tensions within Somalia and the region.