UK Pledges £2m Aid To Burma

The UK is to provide £2m in aid for people hit by the outbreak of violence in Burma.

The humanitarian relief will be used to help more than 58,000 victims of ethnic violence in Burma's Rakhine state.

Over 100,000 people have had to leave their homes since violence began in June between the Muslim Rohingya and Buddhist Rakhine communities.

The Burmese government estimates that, of these people, over 28,000 have been displaced and at least 76 killed as a result of renewed violence that started on 21 October.

Development Secretary Justine Greening said aid action was needed immediately.

"The recent outbreak of violence in Rakhine state has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. Many are living without basic water and sanitation.

"We must act now to relieve the immediate suffering and to ensure that conditions do not worsen to cause further loss of life.

"British aid will provide emergency sanitation, clean water, healthcare and nutrition to those affected by this terrible violence. But Britain cannot do this alone and we call on other donor countries to join in this relief operation."

The aid will go to provide safe drinking water, safe hygiene practices and improved access to sanitation facilities and treatment for malnutrition.

The relief will last over a period of six months and will be delivered through a group of non-governmental organisations.

The British government has previously expressed its deep concern at the violence in Rakhine and has called on all sides to end the conflict.

The UN has warned that Burma's reform programme could be put at risk by continued communal violence in Rakhine.

(IT/GK)