Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the Memorandum of Understanding with Myanmar signed by the UNHCR and UNDP to support the creation of conditions for the return of Rohingya refugees currently in Bangladesh, what steps her Department is taking to support that process.

I welcome the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Burmese Government and UN agencies, which recognises that UNHCR should be the lead international agency on refugee returns. It indicates a greater willingness from the Burmese Government to engage with the international community on the Rohingya crisis. However, swift implementation will be key.

The UK is continuing to push for access for the UN and others at the scale required to provide humanitarian and development support to all communities. We stand ready to do more once access allows, including exploring options to support the Government to make tangible progress, notably in the education sector. We will continue to look at how we can support creating the right conditions on the ground for credible returns up to international standards. We are also supporting partners who are assisting victims and building evidence, including on sexual violence crimes.