Cox's Bazar Refugee
Camp
(Bethnal Green and Bow)
(Lab)
16. What steps his Department is taking to support those affected
by the recent fire in the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's
Bazar, Bangladesh
(904064)
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office ()
I was in Cox’s Bazar just on Saturday, when I was able to visit
the site of the terrible fire that affected 12,000 people and
destroyed 2,000 homes. I was able to announce a new package of
funding of £5.26 million to support the Rohingya, and to meet the
agencies that are all working at incredible pace to help them to
rebuild their homes.
I thank the Minister for her answer and for making that important
visit. She will be aware that the UN Food Programme has announced
that it has been forced to reduce rations for Rohingya refugees
by 17% because of wider funding cuts. Despite her recent
announcement, UK aid for the Rohingya refugee crisis has gone
down by just over 80% since 2020. How can that be justified when
this population has faced genocide at the hands of the Burmese
military? Has she discussed with the Chancellor restoring the
overall aid budget, which is the best way to ensure that we
tackle refugee crises?
The UK has been a leading donor to the Rohingya crisis, providing
over £350 million since 2017. Last week at the UN, the joint
response plan was published; it is only just over 40% funded so
far, so we will be working with our friends across the world to
find the funding to support it completely.
