London Sudan Conference

Lord Browne of Ladyton Excerpts

Monday 28th April 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for raising the important issue of access for humanitarian support and aid. The conference was not designed as a pledging conference to raise money, but it did instigate the raising of £800 million towards supporting humanitarian work in Sudan for those who have been displaced. As he will know, there are many people who are now living in neighbouring countries in very difficult conditions. The safety of aid workers, access for aid and the protection of civilians were the three things that were agreed at the conference. We have committed to continuing to work to improve the situation on the ground, difficult though that is.

[Lord Browne of Ladyton (Lab)]

My Lords, last week I attended a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women, Peace and Security, of which I am a member, on the subject of sexual and gender-based violence in Sudan. Panellists expressed their frustration at the absence of Sudanese civil society actors at the conference. Given the FCDO’s often expressed commitment to supporting civil society in such engagements, how will the Government incorporate their voices in future diplomatic initiatives?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

That is a very good point. The conference is not our only effort; it was a one-day event that was focused on representatives from government, but I met a leading female civil society activist from Sudan very recently. The noble Lord is right that civil society organisations are often the very best with which to engage, because the context of getting support into Sudan is so difficult. We know that it is almost always women who bear the brunt in these situations, and it is vital that we continue to be reminded of that.