HC Deb 29 July 1998 vol 317 c282W
25. Mr. Tipping

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions her Department has held with other Governments and international organisations about the situation in Sudan. [51346]

Clare Short

I have had various discussions and contacts with other Governments and international organisations about Sudan among these are the followingOn 30 April, I met the Coordinator of Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) (Southern Sector) On 18 May, I chaired a discussion of EU Development Ministers on Sudan On 4 June, I met the UN Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs On 9 June, I spoke to the Executive Director of the World Food Programme On 23 June, I met the Heads of Save the Children Fund, OXFAM, Action Aid, Christian Aid and CAFOD On 9 July, I met the Executive Director of UNICEF On 14 July, I wrote to Development Minister colleagues urging them to make additional resources available for the relief effort in Sudan On 16 July, I spoke on the telephone to the Administrator of USAID.

I addition, my officials maintain frequent contact with all agencies looking for a negotiated settlement to the crisis in Sudan. They regularly update me on the situation. For example, they attended the meeting of the International Advisory Committee of the OLS on 18 May and on 24 June they were at a World Food Programme briefing session.

Mr. Canavan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many tons of food aid have been allowed through to the south of Sudan by(a) train, (b) road and (c) air since the ceasefires by the Government of Sudan and the SPLA. [53245]

Clare Short

The World Food Programme report that between 15 July, when the cease-fire began, and 26 July 2,753 tonnes of food have been delivered to the south of Sudan by air and 323 tonnes by road. No food aid has yet been delivered by train. In addition, on 23 July, a barge carrying 2,125 tonnes of food left Kosti in northern Sudan. It will drop food at 33 points in the south.

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