Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support refugees in response to the health and humanitarian situation resulting from COVID-19 in refugee camps.

Refugees and other forcibly displaced people are amongst the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many live in close quarters without access to proper healthcare or shelter, and often in crowded camps where social distancing and regular handwashing are particularly challenging.

To date, the UK has committed £774 million in the international fight against COVID-19 and we are using our aid budget and British expertise to slow its spread in the most vulnerable countries. This includes significant support to the UN's refugee agency, UNHCR, and to other partners to address the needs and vulnerabilities of displaced populations. UK aid is supporting our partners to install hand-washing stations and isolation and treatment centres in refugee camps, and helping to provide protection and education services for forcibly displaced children. We are also increasing access to clean water for displaced people living in areas of armed conflict.

In addition, we are matching, pound for pound, the first £10 million of public donations to the DEC Coronavirus Appeal, which is providing lifesaving aid to refugees and other displaced people and helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 in camps.