Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to ensure that humanitarian assistance can be delivered effectively in South Sudan.

Working with international partners, the UK Government has been instrumental in agreeing a tougher approach to deliberate restrictions on humanitarian access by the Government of South Sudan, which sets out clearly the consequences of violations against aid workers. We ensure UK Aid is effective by working through a range of UN and international organisations who are experienced in operating in South Sudan, who are able to work across the country, and who can deliver flexibly according to need.

The UK continues to provide humanitarian assistance in South Sudan, where half the population is in need. This year we will provide a package of lifesaving support that includes reaching over 500,000 people with food assistance, providing safe drinking water for more than 300,000 people, and providing emergency health services for more than 100,000 people.