This House of Lords Library Briefing provides background information on the humanitarian situation arising from the conflict in Syria, ahead of a debate on this subject scheduled to take place on 29 March 2018.
Syria: Humanitarian Crisis (329 KB , PDF)
On 29 March 2018, the House of Lords is due to debate a motion moved by Lord Roberts of Llandudno [Liberal Democrat] “to move that this House takes note of the humanitarian crisis in Syria”.
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, has now entered its eighth year. The war has caused vast physical devastation across the country and the humanitarian impact of the conflict has been far-reaching. Millions of people have been displaced from their homes and continue to require humanitarian assistance, both in Syria and throughout the region. The UK and other members of the international community have supported ongoing aid programmes. However, despite efforts toward a negotiated political settlement and a 2018 UN Security Council resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities to allow humanitarian access to those in need, the conflict has recently intensified in several regions.
This House of Lords Library Briefing provides background information on the conflict in Syria; gives an overview of the humanitarian situation in the country and wider region; provides information on the international response; and briefly examines proposals to resolve the conflict. It also provides a list of recommended sources for further information on this complex subject.
Syria: Humanitarian Crisis (329 KB , PDF)
The Labour government has called for an “improved and ambitious relationship” with Europe, including a new UK-EU security pact and stronger bilateral partnerships with partners including France, Germany and Joint Expeditionary Force allies. This briefing outlines some of the actions proposed and undertaken by the UK government to improve ties since the July 2024 general election.
While international attention has largely been focused on the Middle East and Ukraine, the civil war in Sudan continues. The UN has characterised the conflict as the “world’s largest hunger crisis”. As peace negotiations stall, concerns are rising not only for the people of Sudan but also about the conflict spreading to neighbouring states.
This briefing provides a summary of a recent report by the international children’s rights charity Save the Children entitled ‘Stop the war on children: Let them live in peace’, as well as UK government policy in this area. It has been prepared ahead of Baroness Anelay of St Johns’ (Conservative) upcoming debate on 12 September 2024 on the government’s assessment of the impact of international conflict on children and the recommendations proposed in Save the Children’s report.
