Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support she is giving to the humanitarian response in South Sudan to avert the risk of famine.

Since the outbreak of fighting in December 2013, the UK has led the way in responding to the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, providing more than £190m to the response in South Sudan (£132.5m for affected people inside South Sudan, and £58m for refugees in neighbouring countries).

The UK has been strongly urging all parties to allow humanitarian access and supports the renewed mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and its focus on the Protection of Civilians.

We stand ready to provide further support to the crisis. Longer term development programmes in the areas of health, education and livelihoods also continue, protecting basic service delivery and supporting community resilience. Once a peace agreement is secured, the UK will work with our international partners to determine what other support may be required in a post conflict environment.