UK Doubles Aid to Burma

The British government has announced that it will double aid to Burma over the next three years. This is a major campaign success. In December 2006 the Burma Campaign UK published a report – Failing the People of Burma? – which called for aid to be doubled. The demand was backed by the International Development Committee of MPs in July last year. Their report backed the Burma Campaign in demanding more aid, cross-border aid, and funding for human rights projects. The increase in aid will save and improve the lives of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people in Burma. Poverty has been increasing in Burma, thanks to the diversion of resources to the military, and the regime’s economic mismanagement and corruption.

“We are delighted that the Department for International Development (DFID) is listening and recognises the urgent need for more aid to Burma,” said Zoya Phan, International Coordinator at the Burma Campaign UK. “However, this is just a first step. DFID now needs to implement all of the recommendations made by the International Development Committee, including funding for cross border aid, which is the only way to reach some of the most vulnerable people in Burma, and projects supporting human rights and democracy in Burma.”