PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
South Sudan: Oil Pollution (21 July 2022)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of oil pollution in South Sudan on the health of (a) humans and (b) animals in that country.

Asked by:
Feryal Clark (Labour)

We are aware of reports of oil pollution in South Sudan, particularly in Paloich, Melut County and some parts of the Ruweng Administrative Area, where oil leaks have been exacerbated by flooding. The Sudd Institute have reported complaints by communities regarding the high prevalence of petroleum pollution, allegedly causing disease and reproductive health issues, including birth defects, infertility, stillbirth, and miscarriages. We have raised environmental concerns with the petroleum industry as part of wider discussions with the South Sudanese Ministry of Petroleum. We work in close coordination with development partners and civil activists who have been calling on the South Sudanese Government to conduct an environmental audit on oil pollution.

Answered by:
Vicky Ford (Conservative)
5 September 2022