Sudan

House of Lords written question – answered at on 14 March 2006.

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Photo of Lord Hylton Lord Hylton Crossbench

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are discussing with the Government of Sudan the plight of the many homeless displaced families in Khartoum.

Photo of Baroness Amos Baroness Amos President of the Council, Privy Council Office, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Lords (Privy Council Office)

The Khartoum State is host to approximately 4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) from across Sudan. The IDP population has increased since the 1980s, in both camp and non-camp environments, and presents the Khartoum authorities with significant concerns for urban planning. In March 2004, the Sudanese Government stepped up a process of demolitions and interruption of essential services as a way of moving IDPs to new sites. We have consistently made clear that while we acknowledge the right of the Sudanese authorities to re-plan their urban environment, the process must be guided by international human rights conventions.

The UK and international community have been working closely with the Government of Sudan to ensure that their treatment of IDPs is compliant with these conventions. The UK has funded a number of projects in this regard, including providing an expert to work with the Khartoum authorities on settlement and re-planning in Khartoum State. The majority of the interventions in Khartoum State are under the UN's 2006 work plan for Sudan, to which the UK is contributing £40 million. They will focus on providing essential services for IDPs.

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