§ Mr. SimmondsTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to promote social and economic development in Sudan. [179429]
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§ Hilary BennThe UK, through the joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office—Department for International Development Sudan Unit, is supporting the peace process between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement under the auspices of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development. This process provides the key to peace and poverty reduction in Sudan. A framework agreement was signed on 5 June and I encourage the parties to reach a comprehensive agreement in the coming months.
In anticipation of this agreement, and an end to the crisis in Darfur, the Department for International Development is planning for a full development programme for Sudan. I have allocated £35 million this financial year for humanitarian, and eventually development, activities across Sudan. In addition I have set aside £25 million this year in humanitarian assistance for the region of Darfur, Western Sudan.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has to encourage internally displaced people to return to their homes in Darfur; and what discussions he has had with the UN to this effect. [179702]
§ Hilary BennIt is important that the internally displaced people in Darfur do return to their homes. However, our position is that this must only take place on a voluntary basis and once the security of those people can be guaranteed. The UN does not consider that there is sufficient security and protection for internally displaced people in Darfur to encourage return at the moment. DFID is working to improve the security situation in Darfur through the full deployment of the African Union Monitoring Team, and by calling on all parties to the conflict to observe the ceasefire.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will intervene to influence the Government of the Sudan to extend the issuing of visas within 48 hours for aid agencies attempting to gain access to the displaced people in the Shilluk Kingdom, Sudan. [179704]
§ Hilary BennDFID is in touch with the Government of Sudan on the issue of travel permits for humanitarian workers going to Shilluk Kingdom through our Embassy in Khartoum. Our latest information is that a list of staff for the planned inter-agency mission was submitted to the Humanitarian Affairs Commission on 7 June.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his latest assessment is of the numbers of people suffering serious food shortages in Darfur. [179705]
§ Hilary BennThe World Food Programme estimates that some 1.2 million people are currently in need of food assistance in Darfur. However, it is probable that this number will increase as more areas are accessed and assessed by humanitarian agencies.