{"value":{"id":1286653,"askingMemberId":259,"askingMember":null,"house":"Lords","memberHasInterest":false,"dateTabled":"2021-02-11T00:00:00","dateForAnswer":"2021-02-25T00:00:00","uin":"HL13318","questionText":"To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking with international partners (1) to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Tigray, and (2) to deliver aid to those affected by starvation; and what discussions they have had with the UN about declaring a famine in that region.","answeringBodyId":208,"answeringBodyName":"Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office","isWithdrawn":false,"isNamedDay":false,"groupedQuestions":[],"answerIsHolding":false,"answerIsCorrection":false,"answeringMemberId":4210,"answeringMember":null,"correctingMemberId":null,"correctingMember":null,"dateAnswered":"2021-02-25T00:00:00","answerText":"<p>The UK has been consistent in calling for the protection of civilians in Ethiopia, unfettered humanitarian access, and respect for human rights. The UK continues to liaise closely with a wide range of regional and international partners in support of these objectives. As a complement to the efforts of the region to find sustainable solutions to the humanitarian crisis, we will continue to press these messages with all relevant international partners, including at the UN Security Council (UNSC) where the UK chaired a closed UNSC discussion on the humanitarian situation in the Tigray region on 3 February.</p><p>We are concerned about the impact of the conflict on food security and nutrition in Tigray and we note recent assessments that there are still significant restrictions to access in Tigray. UK-funded aid agencies in Tigray are working hard to deliver support in challenging circumstances, including food, shelter, water and healthcare. In this context we welcome the recent visits to Ethiopia by senior UN officials and hope that they will deliver a sustained step-change in humanitarian access.</p><p> </p>","originalAnswerText":"","comparableAnswerText":"","dateAnswerCorrected":null,"dateHoldingAnswer":null,"attachmentCount":0,"heading":"Tigray: Humanitarian Aid","attachments":[],"groupedQuestionsDates":[]},"links":[{"rel":"self","href":"/Questions/1286653","method":"GET"}]}