The Bishop of Leeds took part in a debate on the current conflict in Sudan on 13th September 2024, noting the escalating impact of the conflict and the need for the international community to act to save lives in the country:
The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, it is always a daunting honour to follow the noble Lord, Lord Alton, and the previous speakers. Like them, I have some considerable experience of Sudan, having been there a number of times and had dealings not just at the political level but on the ground, among very real and ordinary communities. I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Collins, for securing this debate.
Behind the statistics, there are human beings and stories; 25 million people going hungry could be just a number until you look individuals in the eye. Dig a little deeper and the whole situation in Sudan is much more complicated than simply two generals having a scrap. What we can say with confidence is this: military violence, including the bombing of children, women and ordinary civilians, is appalling. It is often indiscriminate, especially when unleashed by the RSF in what increasingly looks like deliberate and intentional genocide in parts of Sudan. A humanitarian catastrophe has exploded in plain sight of the world and its Governments, with food shortages; the closing down of access for humanitarian aid from neighbouring countries; famine; malnutrition; and a generation of children who are being starved, made homeless and given no medical care or education.
As the director of the World Food Programme told us at the APPG, as was referred to by the noble Lord, Lord Alton:
“Avoidable famine is no longer a threat—it is a reality now”.
Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds takes part in debate on the current situation in Sudan, urging international action to address humanitarian concerns”
The Church of England in Parliament 
You must be logged in to post a comment.