Sudan (Hansard, 15 June 2004)

§ Tony Baldry
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if his Department will(a) increase pledges to and (b) ensure more supplies are delivered and pre-positioned in Darfur, Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [178238]

§ Hilary Benn
During my visit to Darfur last week I announced a further allocation of £15 million for humanitarian response to the situation in Darfur. This takes the total DFID humanitarian response to the crisis to £34.5 million since September 2003. The UK is the 805W second largest bilateral donor in Darfur. We are urging other donors to make significant contributions and will keep our own levels of funding under review.
DFID is working closely with the UN and other operational agencies and donors to ensure that the delivery of assistance is increased as more areas become accessible and as operational capacity on the ground increases. This includes supporting the World Food Programme to pre-position foodstuffs in the areas likely to be cut off during the rainy season.
I refer the hon. Member for Banbury to the Statement I made in the House on 9 June 2004, Official Report, column 275, on my return from Sudan.

§ Tony Baldry
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations his Department has made(a) bilaterally to the Government of Sudan and (b) through the international community, with particular reference to the EU, to ensure resources ate made immediately available for the rapid deployment of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism in Darfur and if he will make a statement. [178239]

§ Hilary Benn
The UK has been heavily engaged in ensuring an effective deployment of the African Union (AU) Ceasefire Monitoring Mechanism.
I have emphasised to the Government of Sudan on several occasions the importance of swift agreement to and full co-operation with the African Union Monitoring Mechanism. In particular, during the visit of the Sudanese Foreign Minister to London on 11 May, during a telephone conversation with the Sudanese Foreign Minister on 20 May and during my visit to Sudan on 6–8 June. In addition, the Joint DFID/FCO Sudan Unit is in almost daily contact with the Government of Sudan in London and Khartoum and have been reiterating these messages.
Following agreement of the AU proposals on 28 May, the UK committed £2 million to the mission and one observer. EU member states last week approved an EC proposal to provide the AU mission with 12 million euros (c. £8 million) from the Africa Peace Facility, which is funded from the European Development Fund. This will cover over half of the estimated costs. DFID have urged other donors to support the AU mission. The EU and member states are also contributing six observers to be integrated with each of the six AU observer teams (including the observer for the UK), a representative on the political-level Joint Commission and the Deputy Chairman of the Ceasefire Commission.
Effective deployment of the African Union Monitoring Mechanism will play a critical part in improving the security situation in Darfur. I met with the first group of monitors in E1 Fasher on 7 June. I refer the hon. Member for Banbury to the statement I made to the House on 9 June 2004, Official Report, column 275 on my return from Sudan.

§ Tony Baldry
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if his Department will maintain pressure on the Government of Sudan to806W permit only the voluntary return of displaced people and refugees in relation to Darfur; and if he will make a statement. [178269]

§ Hilary Benn
During my visit to Sudan I raised with the Government of Sudan, including the first vice-President, the urgent need for the Government of Sudan to rein in the Janjaweed and other militias, to condemn these acts of violence and to provide adequate protection for displaced people. The UK is fully involved in the situation in Darfur and will continue to press the Government of Sudan to take all steps to ensure the security of its citizens, including by ensuring that any return of internally displaced persons (IDP)s and refugees is voluntary and with adequate protection. I was told by the Sudanese Government that IDPs and refugees would not return unless there was adequate security.
I refer the hon. Member for Banbury to the Statement I made in the House on 9 June 2004, Official Report, column 275, on my return from Sudan.