Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the parties engaged in the conflict in Ethiopia to permit the resumption of food distribution by the UN in areas affected by that conflict.

This conflict in Ethiopia has caused a humanitarian catastrophe, with the UN estimating that 9.4 million people across the north of the country require life-saving aid. Over 400,000 people in Tigray are experiencing famine-like conditions. The context could not be more serious.

Since the outset of the conflict in November 2020 the UK has continually advocated for unfettered access for all humanitarian actors. In its interactions with the various warring parties UK Ministers and FCDO officials have repeatedly stressed the criticality of free access for aid agencies.