Aid to Burma

At her Nobel Peace Prize speech, Aung San Suu Kyi made an impassioned call to governments to increase funding for refugees from Burma, saying:

“Can we afford to indulge in compassion fatigue? Is the cost of meeting the needs of refugees greater than the cost that would be consequent on turning an indifferent, if not a blind, eye on their suffering? I appeal to donors the world over to fulfil the needs of these people who are in search, often it must seem to them a vain search, of refuge.’

Refugees in camps on the Thailand Burma border, and those hiding in the jungle from the Burmese Army are facing cuts in rations and shelter.

The British government is currently reviewing aid to Burma and needs to double aid to them to prevent further suffering.

“As someone who was an internally displaced person after my village was attacked by the Burmese Army, and who lived in refugee camps, I am very upset that the situation is getting much worse, and the British government isn’t doing enough to help.” Zoya Phan, Campaigns Manager, Burma Campaign UK.

Please send an email now to Andrew Mitchell MP, Secretary of State for International Development.

Actions: Aid to Burma

Please email Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development.

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Subject:	Support Suu Kyi’s call to help refugees
Message:	Dear Andrew Mitchell MP I am writing in support of Aung San Suu Kyi’s call for increased funding for refugees from Burma. In her Nobel Peace prize speech she made a specific call on donors such as the UK to increase funding. I hope that as a long-time supporter of Aung San Suu Kyi, you will respond positively to her request. On her visit to a refugee camp in Thailand, Aung San Suu Kyi was moved to see and hear about the suffering caused by severe cuts in cross-border aid and cuts in rations, clothing and shelter. As you are aware, hundreds of thousands of people have been internally displaced by conflict in Eastern Burma. There are also more than 100,000 refugees in camps on the Thailand Burma border. In recent years a combination of cuts by the European Union, exchange rates and food prices has resulted in cross-border aid provided by the Thailand Burma Border Consortium reaching 50,000 less people than it used to, amounting to a 48 percent cut. As someone who has visited the Eh Htu Hta camp for internally displaced people, you are aware of how desperate their situation was then. Now many more people like those you met receive no aid at all. Visitors to Eh Htu Hta report the situation there is getting worse, and there are fears of child malnutrition. Refugees in camps on the Thailand Burma border have now had rations cut by 25 percent. Stunting as a result of child malnutrition is a real concern. These people have already been through so much. Now they not only have far less to eat, they also no longer receive supplies to build shelters, blankets and other essentials. These vulnerable people cannot continue to be used as bargaining chips in arguments with the EU regarding not replacing reduced EU funding. Children and other vulnerable people are suffering too much as a result. In opposition you pledged to increase aid to these vulnerable people. I am writing to you today to ask you to turn words into action. Burma has seen major increases in aid, which is most welcome. However, the vulnerable victims of conflict internally displaced in Eastern Burma, and in camps in Thailand, are not receiving a fair allocation. I ask that you consider doubling the grant to the Thailand Burma Border Consortium in order to help these internally displaced people, and ensure no further ration cuts are imposed on refugees, resulting in growing malnutrition and other health problems. This is practical and measurable support which delivers results and makes a difference on the ground. I look forward to your response. Yours sincerely
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