International Development Secretary Priti Patel has repeated calls for an end to the violence in Burma (Myanmar) which has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes to seek safety in neighbouring Bangladesh. Recognising the ‘unprecedented scale’ of the crisis in Bangladesh and Burma, Britain is providing an additional £25 million to meet the urgent needs in both countries of those affected by the violence.
In Bangladesh, where the majority of the funding will be spent, this will allow us to scale up the critical life-saving assistance that we are already providing – such as food, shelter, water and sanitation – to a greater number of those who have already fled.
In Burma, we stand ready to provide life-saving assistance to those affected in Rakhine State. Improvements in access are urgently needed to allow us to reach those in desperate need.
International Development Secretary Priti Patel has strongly reiterated her call for the violence to stop. She said: “For the second time in a little under a year, the eyes of the world are once again fixed on Burma. I am appalled by the allegations of gross human rights violations against large numbers of Rohingya, including reports of the Burmese military and local militia forcing hundreds of thousands of men, women and children from their homes and villages being burnt.
“Latest estimates are that a staggering 370,000 Rohingyas have fled Burma in just over two weeks to seek refuge in Bangladesh, carrying nothing more than a handful of possessions. Innocent people have drowned crossing the border. As each day goes by thousands more pour across the border having left behind their homes, livelihoods and loved ones, uncertain of what their futures hold.
“Simply put, the Burmese military must put a stop to the attacks on the Rohingya. Urgently needed humanitarian assistance must be allowed to get to those in need at a far greater scale than has so far been permitted.
“Unacceptable intimidation and restrictions on the movement of humanitarian workers must be ended. We also call on the Burmese Government to protect the rights and freedoms that must apply to all people in Burma.
“The UK is at the forefront of responding to the plight of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. As a world leader in humanitarian crises, this is what we do best. The issue is a complex one, but the UK has not shied away from its responsibility and we are working hard to provide thousands of displaced men, women and children with the basic essentials like food, shelter and water to stay alive.”
The Scottish Government has expressed ‘deep concern’ over the escalating crisis in Burma. Alasdair Allan, Minister for International Development, said: “The Scottish Government is deeply concerned about the situation in Rakhine Province, and the plight of the Rohingya people and others caught up in this violence. International aid agencies have raised concerns about the humanitarian impact of large numbers of people being forced to flee their homes, many travelling to Bangladesh.
“I have written to the UK Government seeking clarification on what is being done help the people displaced by this conflict. It is vital that the UK is actively involved in securing a solution, both in terms of the provision of aid, and exerting influence on the government of Burma. Scotland stands ready to support the UK Government in providing an appropriate response to this situation.
“I call on the government of Burma to do everything in its power to end the violence, protect the Rohingya and to take positive steps to restore long term peace to the region.”
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