Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 37
37
Rejected
High-level diplomatic efforts have led to some progress in improving access.
Conclusion
High-level diplomatic efforts have led to some progress in improving access. Edward Brown explained: The head of WFP, David Beasley, came recently, and that was a real watershed. That high-level diplomacy has really borne fruit, in that, within a week of that visit, some of these things opened up in terms of logistics, bureaucratic impediments and the communications issue.91
Government response summary AI-generated
The government rejects the committee's assessment that high-level diplomatic efforts have significantly improved access, highlighting persistent issues with communications equipment, travel approvals, and continued denial of access by armed groups. They affirm their ongoing efforts to press for humanitarian access and Eritrean troop withdrawal.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government · verbatim extract
Rejected
We do not share this assessment. There remain pressing issues regarding the importation of communications equipment and travel approvals, for example, that Mr Beasley’s visit did not address. Whilst there have been some, more recent, small improvements in access to telecommunications equipment by UN agencies, NGOs still have very little access. Weapons bearers also continue to routinely deny access to humanitarian agencies and loot humanitarian aid that has been delivered. There remains a need to continue to press the Government of Ethiopia, the Government of Eritrea, TPLF and other forces controlling territory to ensure widespread and sustained access for humanitarian actors in the region. We also continue to call for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean forces.
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