Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to secure humanitarian access to South Sudan.

South Sudan is one of the most challenging operating environments in the world, but as a result of our implementing partners’ efforts, UKAid is reaching hundreds of thousands of people in South Sudan. Last year the UK provided lifesaving support that reached over 500,000 people with food assistance, provided safe drinking water for 300,000 people and over 5 million health consultations for children under 5. However, the international community continues to face obstructions to the delivery of humanitarian aid by all parties to the conflict in South Sudan; 2017 was the worst year for access so far, with 1,159 incidents reported. Alongside our international partners, the UK is engaging with South Sudan’s leaders at the highest level to make clear that physical and bureaucratic obstacles to the delivery of lifesaving aid must cease immediately.