Burma
International Development
Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to (a) improve access for international aid agencies to all areas of Arakan State, Burma and (b) monitor the distribution of aid in that area on the basis of need without discrimination.
Alan Duncan (Minister of State, International Development; Rutland and Melton, Conservative)
We are working with other donors through the UN in relation to the needs in Arakan State and await the needs assessment based on the findings of OCHA
and aid agency partners. This will set out the actions proposed and
mechanisms for distribution and monitoring. The British ambassador has
repeatedly raised concerns with Ministers and directly with the
President about the humanitarian and political situation in Arakan and
called on all sides to allow unrestricted humanitarian access for
international and local aid agencies to the affected communities.
