Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL7427):
Question b Lord ALTON of Liverpool :
To ask His Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the numbers of refugees fleeing Sudan into neighbouring countries; and what steps they are taking to support them. (HL7427)
Tabled on: 25 April 2023
This question was grouped with the following question(s) for answer:
- To ask His Majesty’s Government what diplomatic steps they are taking to reduce the risk of regional contagion from the conflict in Sudan. (HL7426)
Tabled on: 25 April 2023 - To ask His Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made, in conjunction with (1) the World Food Programme and (2) the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, of the number of people displaced or affected by the conflict in Sudan and likely to be at risk of hunger or war crimes; and whether they intend to raise the situation in Sudan at the UN Security Council. (HL7428)
Tabled on: 25 April 2023
Answer:
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park:
Displacement across international borders during this crisis continues to rise – Chad (20,000), Egypt (11,000), South Sudan (4,000 South Sudanese returnees registered), Ethiopia (4,000 estimated) and CAR (700 people) [last updated 27 April]. UNHCR has declared a Level 1 Emergency for Chad, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan. Humanitarian needs in the region will increase with this mass displacement.
We will coordinate with the international humanitarian system (including INGOs, UN agencies, Civil Society Organisations) to support the UN response. The UK will support a well-coordinated and prioritised regional response.
Date and time of answer: 11 May 2023 at 17:10.
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL7425):
Question by Lord ALTON of Liverpool
To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to communicate with British citizens in Sudan in the absence of internet and power for mobile phones. (HL7425)
Tabled on: 25 April 2023
Answer:
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park:
Communication with British nationals in Sudan remains a significant challenge as the mobile phone network and the internet is inconsistent and often down but so far around 3,400 British nationals have registered their presence with the Foreign Office Crisis Hub. We have used multiple channels, including telephone calls, SMS messaging, and cascading information through organically created WhatsApp and Facebook groups that existed before the conflict. We have also regularly and promptly updated our travel advice on the FCDO website.
Date and time of answer: 11 May 2023 at 16:38
