PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Syria: Military Intervention (4 July 2017)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to support humanitarian planning to ensure that civilians are protected and are offered safe routes to voluntarily evacuate during the military offensive to capture Raqqa.

Asked by:
Alison McGovern (Labour)

The protection of civilians is a priority for the UK, and we will continue to work closely with the US and other partners to that end. We have provided significant support to humanitarian planning for Raqqah operations. This has included involvement in the Coalition's civil-military planning process and detailed engagement with the UN and agencies.

Arranging the safe passage of civilians to areas of safety hinges entirely on the goodwill of parties to the conflict. UK aid does not currently go to Daesh-held areas because Daesh are blocking humanitarian access. In areas of the Raqqah Governorate liberated from Daesh, DFID-funded partners are supporting the displaced with food, shelter, healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene assistance.

Answered by:
Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative)
10 July 2017