Written questions by Mundell.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with international partners and the Democratic Republic of Congo help bring lasting peace in that country.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the report on GOV.UK from the Minister of State for Development's recent visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, available at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-reaffirms-commitment-to-peace-protection-and-development-in-the-drc.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the ongoing situation in Iran on the conflict in Yemen.

The UK was clear from the outset of the conflict with Iran that we did not want to see it escalate and spread to other countries in the region, including Yemen, where more than 22 million people are already in need in of humanitarian assistance and 18.3 million are acutely food insecure. The UK remains firmly committed to supporting a UN‑led political process in Yemen, and working towards a lasting political settlement, peace and stability.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which of the Communities of Expertise announced by the Minister for International Development will cover food and nutrition.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided to question 89032 on 10 November 2025 regarding the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) approach to tackling food insecurity and malnutrition around the world.We will carefully consider the findings and recommendations of the Eleanor Crook Foundation's report, alongside other analysis and research, to inform our future approach to nutrition and food security. We will also continue to support the Child Nutrition Fund, which we proudly co-founded and support as members of the Steering Committee.Food and nutrition are issues that cut across key FCDO objectives in a range of areas, from humanitarian relief to climate change, and as such, they will not sit within a single Community of Expertise, but be covered by the Communities of Expertise covering those wider themes. Further details will be announced in the coming months.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will adopt the recommendations of the Report by the Eleanor Crook Foundation entitled UK Leadership on Malnutrition, A building block for security and stability.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided to question 89032 on 10 November 2025 regarding the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) approach to tackling food insecurity and malnutrition around the world.We will carefully consider the findings and recommendations of the Eleanor Crook Foundation's report, alongside other analysis and research, to inform our future approach to nutrition and food security. We will also continue to support the Child Nutrition Fund, which we proudly co-founded and support as members of the Steering Committee.Food and nutrition are issues that cut across key FCDO objectives in a range of areas, from humanitarian relief to climate change, and as such, they will not sit within a single Community of Expertise, but be covered by the Communities of Expertise covering those wider themes. Further details will be announced in the coming months.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government plans to raise access to long-acting injectable HIV prevention and treatment technologies in low and middle-income countries at the UN High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS in June 2026.

The High-Level Meeting comes at a critical moment for the global HIV response and offers an opportunity to reaffirm international commitments to end AIDS for good. The UK has endorsed the Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031 and will work to ensure the political declaration upholds its ambitions, particularly on human rights, and harnesses the opportunity presented by long-acting injectable HIV prevention and treatment.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will set out the Government's negotiating priorities will be at the UN High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS in June 2026; and whether the Government plans to ensure that the new Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031 includes measurable commitments to (a) reduce stigma and discrimination, and (b) increase funding for community-led responses in low and middle-income countries.

The High-Level Meeting comes at a critical moment for the global HIV response and offers an opportunity to reaffirm international commitments to end AIDS for good. The UK has endorsed the Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031 and will work to ensure the political declaration upholds its ambitions, particularly on human rights, and harnesses the opportunity presented by long-acting injectable HIV prevention and treatment.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations the UK plans to make at the UN High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS in June 2026.

The High-Level Meeting comes at a critical moment for the global HIV response and offers an opportunity to reaffirm international commitments to end AIDS for good. The UK has endorsed the Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031 and will work to ensure the political declaration upholds its ambitions, particularly on human rights, and harnesses the opportunity presented by long-acting injectable HIV prevention and treatment.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of running buses from Qatar to Oman for the purposes of repatriation.

The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority. On 3 March, the Foreign Secretary spoke to the House about the consular support available to individuals in the Middle East, and assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates on a regular basis, including details of our ongoing evacuation flights, as well as our efforts to secure an end to Iran's attacks on countries in the region, and the full resumption of normal commercial flights.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help tackle hunger and malnutrition across Africa through the Africa Strategy.

The UK's new Approach to Africa sets out how we are building respectful long-term partnerships with African countries to deliver shared priorities. Through our support for the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration, the Child Nutrition Fund, and other initiatives, the UK is continuing to play a leading role in tackling hunger and malnutrition in Africa and beyond, as set out in the answers previously provided to Questions 89032 (18 November 2025), 35685 (14 March 2025) and 28246 (11 February 2025).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to deliver the UK’s financial commitments from the Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021.

The UK’s longstanding commitment to addressing malnutrition was reaffirmed earlier this year at the Nutrition for Growth Summit.During that summit, we launched the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration and committed to continue integrating nutrition across our development programmes.We are also continuing to support the Child Nutrition Fund to tackle acute malnutrition, and providing Technical Assistance to help developing countries improve their own nutrition responses.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans she to continue to provide the current level of funding to the Child Nutrition Fund.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers provided to Questions 89032 (18 November), 35685 (14 March) and 28246 (11 February) on the issues of global malnutrition and hunger; Question 46477 (30 April) on the Child Nutrition Fund; and Question 35278 (14 March) on the work of the fund in Nigeria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent progress she has made on helping to tackle global malnutrition and hunger.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers provided to Questions 89032 (18 November), 35685 (14 March) and 28246 (11 February) on the issues of global malnutrition and hunger; Question 46477 (30 April) on the Child Nutrition Fund; and Question 35278 (14 March) on the work of the fund in Nigeria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Child Nutrition Fund on nutrition outcomes for women, children and newborns in Nigeria.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers provided to Questions 89032 (18 November), 35685 (14 March) and 28246 (11 February) on the issues of global malnutrition and hunger; Question 46477 (30 April) on the Child Nutrition Fund; and Question 35278 (14 March) on the work of the fund in Nigeria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to fulfil the UK's outstanding funding pledge of £173 million to Unitaid.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer of 20 October given to question 80764.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the Global Fund on tackling (a) HIV (b) tuberculosis and (c) and malaria globally.

The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria is the world's largest multilateral funder of global health grants in low- and middle-income countries . Since 2002, the Global Fund partnership has saved over 65 million lives and reduced the combined death rate from the three diseases by 63 per cent. In countries where the Global Fund invests, AIDS-related deaths have been reduced by 73 per cent, TB deaths have been reduced by 36 per cent and malaria deaths have been reduced by 28 per cent.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department is having with (a) their international counterparts and (b) private sector donors on maintaining their levels of funding for the Global Fund.

As the co-hosts of the Global Fund's 8th replenishment with South Africa we are actively engaging with both international counterparts and private sector partners to advocate maintaining or increasing funding for the Global Fund. The Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) pledged $150 million to the Global Fund on 2 April at an event in parliament celebrating the contribution of the private sector. Minister West spoke at the meeting and welcomed the pledge, the first of the replenishment.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support HIV (a) prevention and (b) treatment programs in Ukraine.

As a founding member and third largest investor, the UK is a committed partner of the Global Fund to fight health risks including HIV/AIDS. Since 2002, the Global Fund has invested more than US$980 million in Ukraine for HIV and TB programmes and to support strong and resilient health systems. The Global Fund allocated US$27.7 million in emergency funding to Ukraine between March 2022 and August 2023 to support the continuity of HIV (and TB) prevention, testing and treatment services. Through the investments of the Global Fund partnership, nearly 120,000 people received antiretroviral therapy for HIV in Ukraine in 2023 alone. Figures for 24/25 are not yet available.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps with (a) Ukrainian health authorities and (b) NGOs to ensure the continuity of HIV services in Ukraine.

As a founding member and third largest investor, the UK is a committed partner of the Global Fund to fight health risks including HIV/AIDS. Since 2002, the Global Fund has invested more than US$980 million in Ukraine for HIV and TB programmes and to support strong and resilient health systems. The Global Fund allocated US$27.7 million in emergency funding to Ukraine between March 2022 and August 2023 to support the continuity of HIV (and TB) prevention, testing and treatment services. Through the investments of the Global Fund partnership, nearly 120,000 people received antiretroviral therapy for HIV in Ukraine in 2023 alone. Figures for 24/25 are not yet available.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his sub-Saharan Africa aid policies of the US State Department's decision to halt nearly all foreign assistance funding; and whether the Government plans to take steps to replace any shortfall in HIV/AIDS funding.

The UK notes the US decision to pause foreign aid funding for 3 months, pending a review. This is a matter for the US. Progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals requires collective action, and the UK will continue to work with all international partnerships toward that vision. The UK's commitment to supporting both humanitarian aid and development across the world and promoting universal comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) remains steadfast.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to ensure the continuity of treatment and prevention services for global HIV/AIDS programs, in the context of the recent US State Department decision to halt nearly all existing foreign assistance funding.

The UK notes the US decision to pause foreign aid funding for 3 months, pending a review. This is a matter for the US. Progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals requires collective action, and the UK will continue to work with all international partnerships toward that vision. The UK's commitment to supporting both humanitarian aid and development across the world and promoting universal comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) remains steadfast.