Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the situation in Kachin and Northern Shan States in Burma and the impact of the ongoing conflict in those states; and what representations they are making to the government of Burma to seek unconditional and unrestricted access to all areas for humanitarian aid and human rights monitoring organisations.

The UK remains deeply concerned by the ongoing violence and continued lack of access in Kachin and Northern Shan States. Over 110,000 people remain displaced by conflict and within camps. We have committed £17 million to support the livelihoods of the most vulnerable and displaced in Kachin and Northern Shan through the Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT). We have also committed a further £37 million to support live-saving interventions reaching over 350,000 people since 2012.

The UK continues to raise our concerns with both the military and the civilian Government of Burma at every opportunity. The British Ambassador in Burma raised issues around access with U Kyaw Tin (Minister for International Cooperation) on 27 May.