Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps he has taken to support the de-escalation of violence between military groups in Sudan; what steps he is taking to support people fleeing Sudan into (a) neighbouring countries and (b) the UK; and if he will make a statement.

The UK is working with partners, including from Quad (KSA, UAE, UK, US), African and European countries, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union and the UN to end the hostilities in Sudan. On 22 August, I (Minister Mitchell) issued a statement, condemning the growing evidence of serious atrocities taking place in Sudan, including reports of deliberate targeting and mass displacement of the Masalit community in Darfur. I urged the warring parties to end the violence, enable humanitarian access and ensure the protection of civilians; and called on international partners to join the UK in taking action to target the warring parties' access to funding and arms. We recognise the significant pressure that the Sudan crisis is putting on neighbouring countries. On 4 May, the UK Government announced £5 million to help meet the urgent needs of refugees and returnees in South Sudan and Chad. The UK Government is no longer running any evacuation operations from Sudan.