International Development Secretary Clare Short said 90% of the spending on emergency aid is going on air drops.

And she said food that is reaching the country is being diverted by fighters in the country's civil war.

Money wasted on flights: Clare Short

A negotiated settlement was the only way to end people's suffering, she stressed. She repeated denials that a lack of cash was at the root of the famine.

Answering Bill O'Brien (Lab, Normanton) at Question Time, the minister said: "The World Food Programme says for the next couple of months they have enough resources to deliver the food that's needed but let me repeat: 90% of the spend is going on air drops.

"This is terrible. People are hungry and the international community is spending masses of money on aeroplanes.

"That's why the ceasefire is so important because it means we can move in train-loads of food."

US "backing rebels"

Ms Short agreed that the famine was being used as a weapon of war by both sides and said people should use their influence to ensure the ceasefire continues.

Jenny Tonge (LibDem, Richmond Park) said the US was reported to be backing the rebels.

The minister confirmed America was providing some support in the south but said she had spoken to US officials. It was crucial that countries did not line up to criticise the Sudanese government while allowing the people to suffer.

She rejected a challenge from Tory Gary Streeter (Devon South West) to endorse appeals for humanitarian aid.

"No-one should play games with this crisis," she told him.

"Millions of people are in danger of dying. Ninety percent of all the money that's provided is going on air drops we are spending money on aeroplanes while people starve and even the food that is getting in - a lot is being diverted."