Burma: Overseas Aid

John Bercow
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of British aid to Burma is delivered via cross-border mechanisms.

Mr. Michael Foster
Approximately £569,000, 4.6 per cent. of DFID’s £12.5 million regular programme for Burma in 2008-09 (excluding £45 million emergency relief following Cyclone Nargis) is being delivered via cross-border mechanisms. This figure breaks down as follows:

£193,000 of DFID’s £1 million funding to the Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC) in 2008-09 has been allocated to cross-border humanitarian activities. Since DFID’s contribution to TBBC was not earmarked to specific activities, this proportion reflects TBBC’s own priorities.

DFID is contributing about £300,000 in 2008-09 to cross-border health assistance to Kachin and Shan States from China.

Around £76,000 of £220,000 provided to three Burmese non-governmental organisations based in Thailand is being used for humanitarian work inside Burma. The remainder of this funding is used to assist Burmese refugees and migrants in Thailand.