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Dept for International Development

Answer

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan about the need to ensure that all parties to the peace process grant the International Committee of the Red Cross the assistance it needs to carry out its protection mandate. [194486] Hilary Benn: I have been asked to reply. The UK is actively trying to ensure access for all humanitarian agencies, including the International Red Cross Committee (ICRC). DFID works with colleagues from the UN, and other Development Ministers, to press both the Government of Sudan and the rebels to allowed unfettered access throughout Darfur. DFID is pressing all parties to sign and deliver on the Abuja humanitarian protocol. In the last two months, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the Minister for Africa and myself have all visited Sudan to urge the Government of Sudan to meet the commitments it gave to the UN regarding humanitarian access and security. DFID regularly raises the importance of protection of civilians in our discussions with the Government of Sudan. Through direct aid, the UK continues to support the humanitarian community and is now the second biggest bilateral donor in Sudan, allocating since March this year £55.5 million for Darfur and £35 million for Sudan as a whole. Of this, DFID has committed £4.5million to the ICRC for the whole of Sudan.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c408-9W; 194486

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Access International assistance Humanitarian aid Protection Peacekeeping operations Sudan International Red Cross

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk