NEWS STORY : Government Launches Evacuation Flights from Sudan
STORY
The Government has launched evacuation flights from Sudan in an attempt to get British nationals to safety following the outbreak of civil war in the country. The Foreign Office said in a statement:
“UK military flights are due to depart from an airfield outside Khartoum, supported by senior diplomats from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Flights will be open to those with British passports and priority will be given to family groups with children and/or the elderly or individuals with medical conditions.”
Andrew Mitchell, the Development Minister at the Foreign Office, told the House of Commons:
“The situation in Sudan is extremely grave. More than 427 people have been killed, including 5 aid workers. Over 3,700 people have been injured. Before this violence began, the humanitarian situation in Sudan was already deteriorating. We now estimate that approximately 16 million people – a third of the Sudanese population – are in need of humanitarian assistance. These numbers, I regret to inform the House, are likely to rise significantly.”
RESOURCES
Foreign Office Press Release on Evacuation
