Rohingya Children

More than 700,000 Rohingya have fled into Bangladesh in the last year, and urgently need food, shelter and medical help.  Those who have stayed in Burma also need immediate help. 

I am encouraged by the support that the UK has given to Rohingya refugees generally, and refugee children in particular. 

The UK is a leading donor to the humanitarian effort in Bangladesh, having committed £129 million to help since last August.  UK assistance has ensured that more than 391,000 children under the age of seven have been vaccinated, 450,000 people have benefited from support to make their shelters more resistant to heavy rain, and UK aid will ensure 250,000 people will continue to have access to safe water through the rainy season.

The UK is supporting 30 ‘child friendly spaces’ to support children with protective services and psychosocial and psychological support, and 19 women’s centres will offer a safe space, psychosocial support and activities to women and girls.

The UK has also provided £1 million to the Red Cross and £2 million to the World Food Programme to provide assistance in northern Rakhine.

I agree with you that it is vital that the perpetrators of these atrocities are brought to justice.   The UK continues to work with international partners to support those building evidence and testimony for the victims of the violence in Rakhine.  

The UK has made it clear that there must be a credible, transparent and impartial investigation.   It is imperative that the Burmese authorities show that the Commission of Inquiry announced can deliver accountability for the perpetrators of atrocities.  If not, I am assured that the UK Government will consider supporting international routes to justice.