§ 15. Mr. RobathanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the(a) situation and (b) peace negotiations in Sudan. [77177]
§ Mr. RammellThe Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army resumed the peace talks on 14 October and have agreed a cessation of hostilities and unrestricted humanitarian access for the duration of the talks. We welcome these developments and shall continue to provide our full support as they work for a just and lasting peace.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the status of Operation Lifeline Sudan; and whether flights are reaching those people in need of food and other necessities. [79387]
§ Mr. RammellOperation Lifeline Sudan remains the principal mechanism by which humanitarian assistance is provided to war-affected areas in Sudan. The UN and the Humanitarian Affairs Commission and the Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Authority met in Nairobi on 25 October, they discussed the implementation of unrestricted humanitarian access agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding on the Cessation of Hostilities on 17 October. We warmly welcome these developments.
We continue to urge all parties to give all possible help to the UN and non governmental organisations (NGOs) to ensure speedy delivery of humanitarian assistance. Our Ambassador in Khartoum raised the general issue of humanitarian access with the Sudanese Minister of International Co-operation on 24 October.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on funding arrangements through the UNHCR for refugees in the Sudan. [79388]
§ Mr. RammellThis year the UK is providing a core contribution of £14 million to UNHCR and in each of the following years (£56 million over four years). Sudan is one of UNHCR'spriorities.