Following Anne Main’s debate last week in parliament, the UK government has pledged a further £12 million in aid to provide further support to the Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Burma.  The increase in funding has taken the UK government’s spending on this crisis from £35 million to £47 million since the end of August 2017.

‘I am absolutely delighted with the government’s announcement,’ said Mrs Main.  ‘The UK has given more than a third of the overall money donated by the international community.  We can be proud that Britain has led the way.’

During last week’s debate in the House of Commons, MPs from across the chamber passionately raised their concerns for the refugees’ welfare.  They urged the UK government to do everything possible to provide emergency assistance in the camps, and seek a political solution. 

Following pressure by the UK at a conference in Geneva, countries including Sweden, Australia, Denmark and the UAE have pledged over $300 million in aid and more countries are continuing to pledge towards the $434 million required to offer support to all in the camps.

The St Albans MP said that, ‘our money is going directly to the most vulnerable in the camps.  It has provided food and safe drinking water to over 170,000 people and equipment for shelters for almost half a million refugees.

‘It is vital that the international community takes the lead from the UK and continues to offer aid and support to Bangladesh and the Rohingya refugees. I would urge everyone who can to donate to the DEC appeal who are doing such good work in the region.’

You can donate to the DEC appeal at the following link: https://donation.dec.org.uk/myanmar#/