Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how they are working with international partners to provide support for the population in Myanmar affected by the earthquake.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
On 29 March the UK announced up to £10 million worth of life saving support to Myanmar in response to the earthquake. As well as delivering the humanitarian assistance via local partners, the package includes support in conjunction with other international partners to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). This will fund life-saving support to some of the most urgent humanitarian needs. On 4 April, we announced a further £10 million of funding, bringing our total response to up to £25 million.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what response they are making to the appeal to the international community regarding the Myanmar earthquake by the Interim National Unity Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
On 29 March the UK announced up to £10 million worth of life saving support to Myanmar in response to the earthquake. As well as delivering the humanitarian assistance via local partners, the package includes support in conjunction with other international partners to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). This will fund life-saving support to some of the most urgent humanitarian needs. On 4 April, we announced a further £10 million of funding, bringing our total response to up to £25 million.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the military junta in Myanmar is attacking civilians and others in areas damaged by the earthquake.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of recent reports of the Myanmar military conducting airstrikes in the aftermath of the earthquake and are actively investigating this with partners. Since the 2021 coup, we have consistently condemned airstrikes. On 2 April, the Myanmar military announced a temporary ceasefire until 22 April, which we welcome, as we do all other recent ceasefires. We now call on the Myanmar military, and all other parties to the conflict, to fully respect the ceasefires and allow full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to help ensure that their aid reaches those affected by the earthquake in Myanmar.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
On 30th March, we announced up to £10 million of UK support to respond to the devastating earthquake in Myanmar. Our support will be channelled through long-standing local partners, who are able to operate across the earthquake-affected area. On 3rd April, we also announced our support to the Disaster Emergency Committee's efforts to do more for people in desperate need in Myanmar. We are matching public donations pound-for-pound up to £5 million, meaning the public's support will go even further. On 4 April, we announced a further £10 million of funding, bringing our total response to up to £25 million.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how UK aid and volunteers can provide further help to the population of Myanmar affected by the earthquake.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
On 3 April, the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) launched a public appeal for the Myanmar earthquake. The DEC brings together 15 leading UK-based aid charities to coordinate public appeals under one banner. The UK Government are providing match funding pound-for-pound up to £5 million. We encourage all those who want to get involved to visit: https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/myanmar-earthquake-appeal
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to support the nomination by the Republic of South Korea of the nurses Marianne Stoger and Margaritha Pissarek for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
As set out by the statutes of the Nobel Foundation, it would not be appropriate for the British Government to comment on the nominations submitted for the Nobel Peace Prize 2020 by the Government of the Republic of South Korea.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will be raising the proposal that 2020 be designated the Year of the Nurse and Midwife at the Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting on 19 May.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK recognises the vital work conducted by nurses and midwives across the Commonwealth and supports the WHO Executive Board's proposal for 2020 to be recognised as the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife”. We look forward to discussing important topics such as this at the Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting later this month.