Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on ensuring humanitarian access remains in states which have taken lockdown measures in response to the covid -19 outbreak.

The Secretary of State for International Development and the Foreign Secretary are working closely together to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.

The UK is using all available diplomatic channels, including its position in multilateral organisations, such as the UN, to ensure that international humanitarian law and global commitments regarding humanitarian access, and the protection of refugees and other vulnerable groups are maintained during this crisis.

The UK is also a key contributor to the UN’s Global Humanitarian Response Plan, which supports humanitarian access through securing the continuity of the supply chains for essential commodities and services, and supporting the most vulnerable, including refugees, internally displaced peoples, migrants and host communities.

To date, the UK has committed £744 million to support global efforts to combat COVID-19. This includes significant support to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to help National Societies meet the needs of people in hard to reach areas. DFID is also supporting governments and other partners to ensure that supply chains remain open and assistance is targeted to those who need it the most.