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International Development Secretary pledges £50 million for Darfur Crisis
and Sudan peace
9 January 2005
Hilary Benn, UK International Development Secretary, who is in Nairobi today to attend the signing of the historic Peace Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, has announced a contribution of £50 million towards the UN’s 2005 Workplan for Sudan and Eastern Chad. Hilary Benn said:
“Today witnesses the signature of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement. This is a tremendous achievement which brings to an end a civil war that has claimed two million lives over a generation. The UK has set aside £100m for Sudan in this coming year, based on the signature of a peace agreement and provided there is progress in Darfur. Following the historic signing today, I urge the Government of Sudan and the SLA and JEM to take urgent steps to resolve the continuing conflict in Darfur.
“The UN has led international humanitarian action on the Darfur crisis as well as responding to the needs of the Sudanese people. These needs will be enormous this year. I am therefore announcing our contribution of £50 million towards the UN appeal. This early contribution will help UN agencies to meet these needs and I hope that other countries will do the same.
“This contribution, and our total pledge to Sudan next year, underlines the UK’s continuing strong commitment to Africa and to tackling conflict.
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