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Sudan

Volume 611: debated on Monday 20 March 2000

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asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have had consultations with the non-governmental organisations which have recently decided to withdraw from humanitarian work in southern Sudan; if so, what were the reasons for that withdrawal; what the consequences will be; and what action they will take bilaterally and multilaterally to address the situation. [HL1424]

We have been in constant touch with the non-governmental organisations that have been forced to withdraw from southern Sudan. They were asked to leave because they were not prepared to sign an agreement put forward by the SPLA which they see as compromising the principles of neutrality and impartiality that underpin the accepted international rules governing humanitarian operations. The expulsion of the humanitarian staff concerned will cause a significant reduction in the provision of assistance to the people living in areas controlled by the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). We have made our concerns very clear to the SPLA. We have urged the United Nations to play a leadership role in finding a solution. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for International Development hopes to discuss this with Tom Vraalsen, the UN Secretary General's Special Humanitarian Representative, later this week in London.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the humanitarian and development priorities of European Union aid to North and South Sudan; and what political conditionality is being applied. [HL1452]

The European Commission's humanitarian assistance is provided to meet urgent needs where they arise, as long as there is a secure environment in which to deliver assistance and there is unhindered access for aid agencies. The EC recently suspended its programme in Sudan People's Liberation Army-controlled areas of southern Sudan because of the SPLA expulsion of many NGOs which are the EC's implementing partners. The EC is not at present providing development assistance to Sudan.