Apr. 16 2024
Source Page: UNICEF emergency appeal funding for Sudan: FOI releaseFound: UNICEF emergency appeal funding for Sudan: FOI release
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the remarks of the chairman of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission that there is a lack of political agreement in South Sudan to enable free and credible elections to take place; and whether they intend to make representations to the government of South Sudan on voter registration and expediting the work of the National Elections Commission.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has taken note of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission Chairman's comments and calls on the South Sudanese Government to expand political and civic space. The voices of South Sudan's diverse population, including those who hold opposing views, must be heard to ensure peaceful, credible and inclusive elections. We welcome the passing of South Sudan's National Elections Act in September 2023, but note that this was 13 months behind the transitional government's timelines set out in their Roadmap. We urge the Government of South Sudan to operationalise this law by reconstituting, adequately financing and empowering electoral institutions, including the National Elections Commission.
Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of South Sudan concerning the implementation of President Kiir’s decree on the disarmament of any violent groups within the Ngok and Twic Dinka communities.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is using its position as a permanent member of the Security Council to press both the government of South Sudan and the de facto Sudanese authorities to ensure The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) can fully and effectively implement its mandate, in line with their responsibility as host states. The UK released a statement alongside Troika (UK, US, Norway) partners on January 29, to condemn the series of armed attacks in Abyei and urge the Government of South Sudan urgently to withdraw its troops in line with its commitments under the 2011 Status of Forces Agreement.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any (1) any recent increase in the number of displaced persons from Sudan to the Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan, and the Blue Nile region, and (2) the impact on people in that region from crop failures and locust infestations; and what consequences there have been for the delivery of humanitarian aid to that region.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Sudan currently represents the largest displacement crisis in the world, including almost 9 million people internally displaced. We don't hold data for more recent influxes or any data for the Nuba Mountain region, but as of 23 January, 127,119 people had fled to Blue Nile and 125,373 to South Kordofan since 15 April 2023. While we don't hold specific data on crop failures and locust infestations in those regions, we remain aware of acute food insecurity throughout Sudan. The UK calls on both the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to grant immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access and we condemn the continuing lack of access. The UK is providing assistance to those in need through our humanitarian aid package of £38 million, as well as £7.75 million in funding for South Sudan, which includes £3.5 million to address food security in the Maban refugee camps.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the humanitarian situation in Abyei town following internal displacement within the Abyei area, and what support they will offer to enable voluntary returns to villages in central and northern Abyei.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The people of Abeyi have suffered from terrible conflict and are now feeling the impact of climate change. We are working with the UN and humanitarian organisations in Sudan and South Sudan to address their humanitarian needs. We also continue to call on the Government of South Sudan and the Sudanese authorities to allow humanitarian actors to deliver aid in all parts of Abyei, without hindrance.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the estimate by the General Coordination of Camps for the Displaced and Refugees in Sudan that over 560 children have died from malnutrition during the last 11 months of the war in that country, and of UNICEF’s prediction that 700,000 Sudanese children will suffer severe malnutrition in 2024, and what steps they are taking in response.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We remain a committed donor to Sudan and provided £42.6 million in humanitarian aid to support people there in 2023-2024, including £12.2 million to UNICEF for lifesaving nutrition activities. In this new financial year, UK bilateral ODA to Sudan will nearly double to £89 million. Funding for South Sudan was increased to £7.75 million, which includes £3.5 million for food security in the Maban refugees camps. The lack of humanitarian access continues to make it extremely difficult for humanitarian organisations to provide the necessary levels of assistance. On 8 March, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2724, led by the UK, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan during the month of Ramadan and underlining the urgency of humanitarian access. We condemn the fact that the warring parties have not heeded this Resolution.
Jun. 30 2023
Source Page: Joint Statement by the Troika on Sudan and South SudanFound: Joint Statement by the Troika on Sudan and South Sudan
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to increase multi-year funding to support the most food-insecure people in Sudan and Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK continues to provide assistance to people in need in Sudan through our humanitarian aid package of £38 million for 2023-2024, The UK is providing more than £38 million in humanitarian funding in 2023-24, including £12.2 million to UNICEF for lifesaving nutrition activities. We are also helping those fleeing to neighbouring countries, with £7.75 million to support Sudanese refugees in South Sudan, including £3.5 million for food security in the Maban refugee camps and £15 million to Chad. In 2024/2025, the UK bilateral Official Development Assistance to Sudan will double to £89 million.
Asked by: Earl of Sandwich (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that free and fair elections will take place in South Sudan this year.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK, alongside Troika partners (US, Norway), continues to press for implementation of South Sudan's Peace Agreement and a peaceful transition to democracy. On 20 September 2023, the Minister of State (Development and Africa) met South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to discuss progress on implementing South Sudan's Peace Agreement, including delivering peaceful, credible and inclusive elections. The UK Government provided £54.5 million to the UN Mission in South Sudan in the 2022/23 UN financial year, who are mandated to support preparations for elections.
Mar. 28 2024
Source Page: UK to nearly double aid for Sudan as humanitarian crisis deepensFound: UK to nearly double aid for Sudan as humanitarian crisis deepens