Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to guarantee humanitarian access to the civilian population in Abyei.

The UK is concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan and, as one of the largest humanitarian donors in the country, we are committed to assisting those in need. We welcome the Government of Sudan’s commitment to unfettered humanitarian access across the country, however we note that full humanitarian access has yet to be delivered. The UK has continued to call on PM Hamdok and the Government of Sudan to ensure this commitment is achieved. HMA and DFID officials in Khartoum have continued to engage with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on how we can coordinate and respond effectively to the humanitarian needs across all of Sudan, including in the Abyei region. Furthermore, senior UK officials in Juba continue to urge all parties to abide by the commitments they have made to ensure full, safe, unhindered humanitarian access throughout South Sudan.