To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2012, Official Report, column 279W, on South Sudan, what recent assessment he has made of the crisis in South Sudan; what recent discussions he has had with representatives of (a) other Governments and (b) the UN High Commissioner for Refugees on the level of extra funds needed; if he will provide additional UK funds to alleviate the crisis; and if he will make a statement.

We are monitoring the situation in South Sudan closely. During my visit to South Sudan in April 2012, I saw for myself the dire situation in the border region with Sudan and was briefed on humanitarian needs across the country. In response to increasing needs, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has bid for $20 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund, to which the UK contributes 20%. We are also encouraging other donors to increase their humanitarian funding. Officials in the DFID office in Juba co-ordinate closely with representatives of other Governments and humanitarian agencies to establish a common view of the level of humanitarian need and officials from my Department held a meeting with the Head of the UNHCR South Sudan office in London on 5 July.