Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to increase aid from her Department tohelp people in the Sudan suffering from famine; and if she will make a statement. [44335]Clare Short: Since 1991 my Department has provided £145 million in humanitarian assistance for Sudan.Since my statement to the House on 29 April 1998, Official Report, columns 331-38, the Government of Sudan have been graduallyimproving access to the worst affected areas, particularly in Bahr El Ghazal. I approved further British contributions during Maytotalling £6.23 million which brings our overall assistance to Sudan since February to £10.23 million. I have made it clear sincethe beginning of the current emergency that we alongside other governments will provide the funding needed for the Sudaneseemergency and that the problem is one of access rather than resources. The EU General Affairs Council on 25 May again called for aceasefire for humanitarian purposes, which remains the most urgent requirement. This is why we have been pressing for a ceasefirefor humanitarian purposes, which remains the most important requirement in order to provide help to the people in need.