Thank you to everyone who has written to me about the atrocities being committed in Sudan. I share your concern about reports arms sold by the UK to UAE may have been used in this horrific conflict, and have contacted the Foreign Secretary about this issue.
I share constituents’ horror at the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, one of the worst we have ever seen. I strongly welcome the Foreign Secretary’s push to drive this issue up the international agenda, and the leading role the UK is taking in pushing for action to end this brutal conflict and horrific human rights abuses.
The government is strongly committed to securing a ceasefire in Sudan, which is the only sustainable way to improve the humanitarian situation. The Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has called a special session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, where a UK-drafted resolution was passed securing an international consensus for an urgent UN inquiry into alleged war crimes in El-Fasher.
We are also working with international partners, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United States to push for peace. Together, we are calling for an immediate truce and an end to the flow of arms that is fuelling this conflict, to help pave the way toward stability and relief for the Sudanese people.
Alongside our diplomatic engagement, the UK continues to ensure that aid is delivered where it is most needed. Over £810 million of funding for Sudan has been announced recently, including £120 million of UK aid, which will support over 650,000 people this year.
It is devastating to see the levels of violence against women and girls in Sudan, that is why our Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, chaired a UN Security Council briefing on committing to the prevention of violence against women and girls in Sudan. This includes working with UN and Non-Governmental Organisations to provide safe spaces, mobile clinic treatment, dignity kits and psychosocial services for survivors of violence. Ending horrific crimes against women and girls in this world is a major priority for the Foreign Secretary.
More widely, the UK funds support for the protection, prevention and care services responding to gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan and provide emergency support to survivors. So please rest assured that I will continue to support all government efforts to bring this horrific conflict to an end, and to get justice for the victims of human rights abuses.