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Burma: Storms

Volume 475: debated on Tuesday 13 May 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid and assistance the Government have made available to Burma following the recent cyclone. (204989)

The UK made an initial pledge of £5 million for the immediate relief effort following Cyclone Nargis and stands ready to contribute much more. These funds will be used to help meet urgent humanitarian needs and will be channelled through UN agencies, the Red Cross and NGOs delivering assistance on the ground. This contribution will be in addition to the UK's long-term humanitarian programme inside Burma.

We have readied our stockpile of emergency supplies including tents, water containers, blankets, and plastics sheets. And we have sourced additional logistic equipment and other relief items. The first airlift of these materials has departed.

A DFID team of emergency response experts arrived in Burma on weekend of 10/11 May, to support the DFID Burma Office and help to maximise the impact of DFID emergency funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he plans to give additional aid to Burma following the recent cyclones. (205095)

The UK made an initial pledge of £5 million for the immediate relief effort following Cyclone Nargis and stands ready to contribute much more. These funds will be used to help meet urgent humanitarian needs and will be channelled through UN agencies, the Red Cross and NGOs delivering assistance on the ground. This contribution will be in addition to the UK's long-term humanitarian programme inside Burma.

We have readied our stockpile of emergency supplies including tents, water containers, blankets, and plastics sheets. And we have sourced additional logistic equipment and other relief items. The first airlift of these materials has departed.

A Department for International Development (DFID) team of emergency response experts arrived in Burma on weekend of 10/11 May, to support the DFID Burma Office and help to maximise the impact of DFID emergency funding.