Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the issue of conflict-related sexual violence; and how they are engaging the United Nations to ensure that the commission of inquiry is established as a matter of urgency.

The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains one of the world's most severe. In Eastern DRC, conditions have worsened-of the 28 million people facing acute food insecurity nationwide, 10 million are in the three conflict-affected eastern provinces. Civilians face grave risks, including sexual and gender-based violence. The UK provided over £80 million in humanitarian aid last financial year and remains committed to helping those most in need. Following the M23/Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) conflict escalation in January and February, the UK gave emergency funding to Panzi Hospital to ensure it could continue supporting its globally recognized care for survivors of sexual violence in South Kivu. Through our partnership with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), we continue supporting essential sexual and reproductive health services. Human rights in the DRC are a UK priority. We work with the UN and others to promote them, including most recently at the Human Rights Council where the UK's Permanent Representative encouraged the establishment of the independent Commission of Inquiry. Our Ambassador and Ministers also regularly raise human rights concerns with the DRC government, urging accountability and adherence to international humanitarian law.