Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what steps his Department is taking to help improve food security in (a) Sudan, (b) South Sudan and (c) Chad.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
In 2024/2025, (ODA) will include £89 million to Sudan and £111 million to South Sudan including assistance to address food insecurity. For instance, our ODA in Sudan will support UNICEF to provide emergency and life-saving food assistance to support people particularly in hard-to reach areas in Sudan, including nutrition, water and hygiene services for 500,000 children under 5. We will also continue to provide ODA assistance in Chad in 2024/2025.
Asked by: Vicky Ford (Conservative - Chelmsford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, if he will increase multi-year funding to support (a) the most food-insecure people in Sudan and (b) Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK provided £42.6 million in humanitarian aid to support people in Sudan in 2023-2024, including £12.2 million to UNICEF for nutrition activities and approximately £23 million to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund for multisector response, including a high proportion of food security interventions. We also helped those fleeing to neighbouring countries in 2023-24, with £7.75 million to support existing and new Sudanese refugees as well as vulnerable returnees and host communities in South Sudan and £15 million to those in Chad. In 2024/2025, UK ODA to Sudan will nearly double to £89 million, including funding to UNICEF to provide emergency and life-saving food assistance. The UK will also be working with the World Food Programme to assist in the provision of assorted food commodities to people in Sudan.
Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what recent assessment he has made of the seriousness of the risk of atrocities in Kas in the South Darfur state of Sudan.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK condemns the continuing violence and suffering being wrought by the warring parties on the people of Sudan, including in South Darfur. The UK remains committed to ensuring that those responsible for these serious atrocities in Sudan are held to account. The UK welcomed the publication of the Panel of Experts report in early March. The credible evidence of external military support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) highlighted in the report is concerning. As well as the work of the UN Panel of Experts, we continue to support the essential work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sudan (OHCHR) and the International Criminal Court in investigating and documenting reports of these serious atrocities. In addition, on 11 October, the Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted the UK-led 'Sudan Core Group' resolution to establish an independent and international Fact-Finding Mission to ensure credible allegations of human rights violations and abuses in Sudan will be investigated impartially. The HRC joint statement on behalf of 44 counties also reinforces UK support for better humanitarian access and a ceasefire in Sudan.
Oral Evidence Apr. 24 2024
Inquiry: Implications of the war in Ukraine for UK DefenceFound: University of Exeter, and British Armed Forces Oral Evidence
Oral Evidence Apr. 23 2024
Committee: International Development Committee (Department: Department for International Development)Found: Mercy Corps, UNICEF, and UN World Food Programme Oral Evidence
Mentions:
1: Cherilyn Mackrory (Con - Truro and Falmouth) it is expected that South Crofty will be back online in 2026. - Speech Link
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, for what reason the post of UK Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan has been vacant since October 2023.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The post of UK Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan has been reconfigured and no longer exists. The position of Special Representative for South Sudan has been occupied by Clare Staunton since October 2023. The role of the Special Representative for Sudan has been taken on by the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, reflecting the critical role of the wider region in the conflict, and has been filled Sarah Montgomery, who will be succeeded by Alison Blackburne in summer 2023. The UK Ambassador for Sudan, Giles Lever, is now based in Addis Ababa with his team.
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he is taking to support (a) human rights and (b) democracy in (i) sub-Saharan Africa and (ii) other countries.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK is a long-standing supporter of an open international order based on respect for democracy and human rights. Globally, our work includes holding Russia to account over its actions in Ukraine and at home and China for its actions in Xinjiang province; and supporting the Human Rights Council and the Summits for Democracy. Across Africa, our human rights work has included support to media freedom in South Sudan, human rights defenders in Zimbabwe, and tackling child exploitation in DRC. We have also partnered to support democratic institutions: for example, the judiciary in Kenya, civil society in Nigeria, and the African Union (AU), through our £7 million AU Conflict and Governance programme.
Mentions:
1: Andrew Mitchell (Con - Sutton Coldfield) existing Sudanese refugees in South Sudan, and £15 million to Chad. - Speech Link
2: Vicky Ford (Con - Chelmsford) Last week, members of the all-party group on Sudan and South Sudan heard from eyewitnesses and aid workers - Speech Link
3: Andrew Mitchell (Con - Sutton Coldfield) In respect of South Sudan, where there is a significant and increased programme of humanitarian support - Speech Link
4: Andrew Mitchell (Con - Sutton Coldfield) As I said, many have fled across the border into Chad and South Sudan. - Speech Link
5: Stephen Timms (Lab - East Ham) What are the implications for food security in Sudan and South Sudan this autumn and into next year? - Speech Link
Apr. 19 2024
Source Page: G7 foreign ministers' statement in Italy, April 2024Found: Sudan to restore the democratic transition process.