Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Ethiopia, Sudan and Tigray: Humanitarian Situation — [Hannah Bardell in the Chair]

03 November 2021 · 10 other contributors · 13,196 words

Opened by Jeremy Corbyn Your Party Islington North

Responding minister: Vicky Ford

Foreign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Jeremy Corbyn raised concerns about ethiopia, sudan and tigray: humanitarian situation — [hannah bardell in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Jeremy Corbyn expressed deep concern about the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Tigray, highlighting 60,000 Tigrayan refugees in Sudan and 2.1 million displaced people in Ethiopia.
  • Corbyn called on the British Government to support a ceasefire, provide necessary aid, and use political clout to address the crisis in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Tigray.
  • The UK minister acknowledged the dire situation in Ethiopia, with 7 million people needing humanitarian assistance due to conflict and blockade, leading to food shortages and civilian casualties.

Key requests to Government

Corbyn called on the British Government to support a ceasefire, provide necessary aid, and use political clout to address the crisis in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Tigray. He urged for no further arms sales to the region and requested that international observers be allowed in to assess the situation.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Jeremy Corbyn Your Party Islington North

Jeremy Corbyn expressed deep concern about the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Tigray. He mentioned that there are currently 60,000 Tigrayan refugees in Sudan, alongside 1.1 million other refugees from historical conflicts. In Ethiopia, he noted a descent into war with forced mobilisation of young people and persecution of those perceived as separatists, leading to displacement of 2.1 million people and food insecurity affecting 80% of the population. Michelle Bachelet's report highlighted reasonable grounds for believing that all parties have committed violations amounting possibly to war crimes.

Other contributors (10)
  • Brendan O'Hara SNP Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber

    Mr O'Hara expressed concern about the joint report of the UN Human Rights Office and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission which highlighted violations by all parties to the Tigray conflict. He mentioned reports of ethnic cleansing, rape as a weapon of war, and widespread humanitarian abuses. Mr O'Hara also raised concerns over famine with 90% of the Tigrayan population in urgent need of assistance. Additionally, he questioned the impact of UK's aid budget cut on the situation in Tigray.

  • Fleur Anderson Lab Putney

    Expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Ethiopia, Tigray and Sudan. Cited UN reports of a potential famine affecting millions, with at least 54 organizations providing aid but significant gaps remain. Emphasized the disproportionate impact on women and girls who are victims of rape as a weapon of war. Called for independent investigations into human rights violations and crimes against humanity. Raised issues in Sudan including excessive use of force against protestors and arbitrary detentions. Inquired about the Sudanese aid funding cut by the Department for International Development and requested a return to supporting peacebuilding in Sudan.

  • Ian Lucas Lab Wrexham

    He called for an urgent review of the UK's diplomatic relations with Ethiopia, highlighting the need for a more robust response from the international community.

  • Laurence Robertson Con Tewkesbury

    Asks whether there is confusion regarding reports about Eritrean forces' involvement in committing atrocities in Tigray despite official denials of their presence. He expressed concern about the humanitarian and economic crisis in Ethiopia, noting conflicting reports and the difficulty of knowing who to blame or how to stop the conflict. He highlighted the potential impact on foreign investment and called for a ceasefire before the situation worsens.

  • Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea

    My right hon. Friend highlights the situation in Tigray, which he considers to amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, mentioning issues such as starvation. Marsha de Cordova draws attention to the plight of young women and girls who have reportedly been subjected to rape, gang rape, sexual mutilation, and torture.

  • Patrick Grady SNP Glasgow North

    Concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ethiopia, particularly Oromia. Emphasised the need for external brokering of peace and criticised the UK's aid budget cuts.

  • Preet Kaur Gill Lab Co-op Birmingham Edgbaston

    The MP expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in Ethiopia and Sudan, highlighting a potential descent into civil war with severe humanitarian consequences. She cited specific statistics on food shortages, refugee numbers, and rape incidents, urging for immediate humanitarian aid, ceasefire, and justice for human rights abuses.

  • Rachael Maskell Lab Redcar

    The Government has a responsibility to ensure that the UK's foreign policy is in line with its aid commitment and must take immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis.

  • Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham

    The situation in Tigray is worsening with a state of emergency declared overnight and humanitarian needs escalating. The UN estimates that at least 5.2 million people need emergency food assistance, with almost half a million living in famine-like conditions. Only 1% of those needing aid are being reached due to fuel shortages and access restrictions. Asked the Minister if she would give way.

  • Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath

    A constituent of mine has been unable to contact her family since the beginning of the conflict. Their stories are terrifying and upsetting. The Government should outline not only how they will provide aid, but also how relatives living in the country can communicate. She pointed out that women are often the worst victims of violence in conflicts, highlighting sexual violence against women as an issue to address when discussing this conflict.

Government Response

Vicky Ford

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Bardell. I congratulate the right hon. Member for Islington North on securing this important debate and thank all hon. Members for their contributions. The situation in Ethiopia is dire, with 7 million people needing humanitarian assistance due to conflict and blockade, leading to food shortages and civilian casualties. In Sudan, there are significant internal challenges following a coup d'état, and the UK condemns the arrest of civilian members of Sudan's transitional Government by the military. Over 80,000 Ethiopians have fled to Sudan due to conflict. The minister calls for an end to hostilities in Ethiopia and urges all parties to allow humanitarian supplies to flow. The UK has provided £76 million in humanitarian aid and continues to press international partners for action on the crisis. In Sudan, we are seeking a return to civilian Government and stabilisation of the situation, with a focus on delivering food aid through Port Sudan.

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