§ 11. Bob SpinkTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what aid the Department gives to refugees(a) in Burma and (b) near the Burmese-Thai border. [118388]
§ Hilary BennWe are not currently supporting programmes focused exclusively on meeting the needs of displaced people inside Burma.
DFID assistance for refugees in camps on the Thai-Burma border has focused mainly on meeting food needs and on UNHCR's protection role. Financial assistance last year amounted to just under £2 million. Further support is planned in the current year.
DFID is also providing support to refugees through the European Commission. In 2002, the European Commission allocated 3.5million Euros (£2.5 million) for these purposes, 20 per cent. of which is attributable to the UK Government.
§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development when the Department will conduct a full survey of child malnutrition(a) in Burma and (b) in the refugee camps on the Burma-Thai border. [117992]
§ Hilary BennThe Department has access to survey findings and reports on child malnutrition written by a number of non-governmental organisations and by UNICEF. Officials in the Department will draw on these in the formulation of DFID's humanitarian assistance plans for Burma.