Sudan

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon Excerpts

Tuesday 21st April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I could not agree more. I have met with the local responders too, and they are an incredibly impressive group of people. They are very well organised and are using technology and developing apps to make sure that their limited resources are allocated in a way that is most efficient and responsive to local need. It is something that I do not think many of the larger agencies could possibly achieve anywhere, never mind in Sudan. They are essential to our effort, which is why we have doubled the funding to them.

The noble Lord is also right to say that the UK has a leadership role to play here, on a civilian track. We are prepared to do that and we are doing that. I do not think that this is a time for getting too far ahead of others, because that kind of leadership does not seem to have been very effective in this circumstance, and it is important that we work closely with Sudanese voices and work in a way that is led by them and centred on their needs. It was good to see, at the conference last week, that strand of work having such focus. That is important, and he makes a very good point.

[Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Lab)]

My Lords, last year, OCHA and organisations on the ground working with the humanitarian aid agency reached 17 million people in Sudan. This year, the aim is to reach 20 million people. They do a fantastic job, working in great danger. Will my noble friend join me in paying tribute to their courage?