Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the response to COVID-19 in (1) Somalia, (2) Sudan, and (3) Yemen, is conflict sensitive.

We continue to work closely with international partners towards peace in Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, as in other countries in conflict that have been impacted by COVID-19. The UK supports the UN Secretary-General's call for a global ceasefire in armed conflicts. In each of Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, the impacts of COVID-19 and conflict are closely intertwined, as is UK action on both

UK support for Somalia's COVID-19 response includes tackling risks of increased instability and protecting existing state-building efforts. Our action includes promoting inclusive politics, helping to maintain the state's core functions (such as revenue-raising, managing public finance and security), and supporting the resilience of communities across Somalia plagued by al-Shabaab and the risks of conflict.

Sudan was facing economic collapse even before COVID-19. The UK is taking a leading role in helping the Government of Sudan to secure the international financial support it needs to avoid this, one of the greatest risks to stability and conflict. As the second largest bilateral donor in Sudan we are working with the Government of Sudan to ensure the most vulnerable continue to receive humanitarian support, and are monitoring how COVID-19 is impacting conflict dynamics so that programming avoids contributing to instability. This includes a £6m contribution to the UN COVID-19 response plan for Sudan.

In Yemen the UK will provide up to £10 million through our new Local Peacebuilding Programme over the next three years, which includes funding a Conflict Sensitivity Platform to support humanitarian and development agencies delivering aid in Yemen to do no harm and make positive contributions to peace and stability. The programme will work with local communities to address the drivers of conflict, and in turn, strengthen social cohesion in Yemen. We are also supporting the UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths in his efforts to find a political solution to the conflict. Given the threat of COVID-19 it is more important than ever that both the Houthis and the Government of Yemen agree to Griffiths' proposals.