The persistent persecution of the Rohingya people must stop. It is horrifying that hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children have been forced from their homes. This is a clear case of ethnic cleansing.
I am encouraged that the International Development Secretary has made this one of her top priorities. The UK is a leading donor to the humanitarian response in Bangladesh for the Rohingya people having committed £129 million to the crisis since August 2017. This includes the announcement in May of an additional £70 million of humanitarian support to help ensure the thousands of persecuted Rohingya people are protected as the cyclone and monsoon season begins. UK aid supported work on preparing the camps for the monsoon season began in January and this new aid is providing additional medication, sturdier shelters, food, clean water and support for women to give birth safety. Our support is also helping to support a large vaccination campaign against cholera in and around the Cox's Bazar camps.
The Government has repeatedly pressed the Burmese military to end this inhumane violence and guarantee unrestricted humanitarian access so aid can reach those in need in Burma. Any return of families to their homes must be safe, voluntary and dignified.