Sudan: Operational Restrictions on Humanitarian Actors

Baroness Sugg Excerpts

Wednesday 15th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

Yes, and I thank my noble friend for putting it quite so strongly. She is right to do so, and she is a long-standing advocate for this cause. It is outrageous that humanitarian agencies are required to register as they are. We are redoubling the amount that we are spending on local agencies—which are able to work in a different way and be more flexible—some of which are not registered as humanitarian bodies and are able to work around this. But it is wrong and should not be happening, and nobody should impede access that is needed to provide humanitarian support and to protect civilians.

[Baroness Sugg (Con)]

My Lords, we are hearing deeply concerning reports of continued assaults in El Obeid, and I welcome the recent statement from the UK and like-minded partners on that. Given these reports and the strategic importance of El Obeid as a humanitarian hub and as a gateway to Kordofan and Darfur, what assessment have the Government made of the humanitarian situation in El Obeid and what further steps can they take to make sure aid safely reaches civilians there?