Burma: Overseas Aid
International Development
Written answers and statements, 29 October 2009
Andrew Mitchell (Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, International Development; Sutton Coldfield, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department has provided to emergency relief initiatives to support those affected by the famine in Chin State, Burma, in 2009; and whether he plans to increase that level of assistance in 2010.
Michael Foster (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for International Development; Worcester, Labour)
The Department for International Development (DFID) has committed a total of £880,000 for humanitarian assistance in response to severe food shortages in Chin State. Of this commitment, £600,000 was disbursed towards the end of 2008 and £155,000 has been disbursed so far during 2009. We expect to disburse the remaining £125,000 shortly.
We are keeping the humanitarian situation in Chin State under close review and are considering, in consultation with the United Nations and other donors, how best to address longer-term food security needs in Chin State and other parts of Burma.