Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking in response to the humanitarian situation in Elgeneina, West Darfur in Sudan.

The UK strongly condemns the deliberate attacks and human rights abuses against civilians in West Darfur, Sudan. We are pursuing all diplomatic avenues, including through the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council and cooperation with counterparts from Africa, the Quad (KSA, UAE, UK, US) and European countries to end the violence, secure safe humanitarian access, and hold those responsible accountable. We welcome the International Criminal Court Prosecutor's decision to commence investigations into the surging violence and offences that are being committed in Darfur. We are providing £21.7 million in humanitarian aid for people in need in Sudan, and a further £5 million to help meet the urgent needs of refugees and returnees in South Sudan and Chad. UK funded support will be delivered through the UN and other trusted partners and will provide assistance such as safe drinking water, food, medical care and shelter to people in need, as well as supporting Gender Based Violence protection services.