Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that UK aid to Myanmar reaches the Rohingya people in the Rakhine State.

The UK remains deeply concerned by the ongoing persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State and allegations of human rights abuses. UK Ministers and our Ambassador have called on both civilian and military Minsters in the Government to urge a restrained security response, an independent investigation into allegations of human rights abuses, and for the immediate resumption of access for humanitarian aid. The Government of Burma has committed to restoring humanitarian access and investigating allegations of human rights abuses. Humanitarian access has improved somewhat but some restrictions on travel for international staff and on conducting needs assessments remain in place, affecting the quality and quantity of assistance that can be provided. The UK continues to raise these issues with the government of Burma at every available opportunity.

The UK does not provide funding directly to the Government of Burma.