Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to assist people in central Ukraine, who are not close to a border, to reach safety in neighbouring countries.

Russian aggression is having a massive human cost, causing death, displacement and destruction of vital civilian infrastructure. As of 30 March, over 4 million people are known to have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries, according to UNHCR [link: https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine]. We must ensure the humanitarian needs of displaced people are met, both within and beyond Ukraine's borders. The UK has committed £394 UK aid to Ukraine and the region during the current crisis, including £220 million of humanitarian assistance and we have deployed humanitarian experts to the region to support those fleeing the violence.

Humanitarian access is a critical part of upholding International Humanitarian Law. Parties to conflict must allow humanitarian supplies in, and facilitate movement of civilians out of cities where fighting is taking place. We are encouraging international partners to speak as one demanding that all parties guarantee full humanitarian access and respect international humanitarian law.