Smoke rises from a fire at a market in the Upper Nile State town of Renk, South Sudan, on 13 May 2023. According to UNHCR, at least 40,000 people have arrived into South Sudan since armed clashes between Sudan's military and rival paramilitary groups began in Khartoum and other parts of the country on 15 April 2023. Most of the refugees are part of the some 800,000 South Sudanese who had previously fled the war in South Sudan and who are now returning to a country with tensions still remaining in many areas, and more than two million internally displaced people. Upon arriving at the Joda border crossing, the refugees head to a transit area set up by UNHCR in the small town of Renk, where various UN agencies assist them with registration, food, health check and logistics. (Photo: EPA-EFE/AMEL PAIN) With London holding the rotating presidency of the council, British foreign minister David Lammy is due to chair a vote on a UK/Sierra Leone-proposed draft resolution, which also calls for the protection of civilians.
Lammy will say "the UK will never let Sudan be forgotten" and announce a doubling of Britain's aid to 226 million pounds ($285 million), according to a statement from his ministry.
A power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces broke out in April 2023 ahead of a planned transition to civilian rule, killing thousands and triggering the world's largest displacement crisis.
The ministry said Lammy would also criticise restrictions by Israel on humanitarian aid in Gaza and call for an immediate ceasefire along with the release of all hostages.
On the war in Ukraine, he was due to say that Britain "will keep standing with Ukraine until reality dawns in Moscow". He was due to speak to media with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.