In February, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK will reduce the aid budget from 0.5% of Gross National Income (GNI) to 0.3%, which means a cut of up to £6bn in annual UK aid.
When the last cuts in UK aid happened in 2021, aid to Burma fell by 73%, despite the growing humanitarian crisis. It has now increased slightly and should continue increasing, not face more savage cuts.
UK aid to Burma saves lives.
None goes via the Burmese military.
With massive cuts in international aid from the USA, Germany and others, the UK needs to step up, not impose more cuts. At the United Nations Security Council, the top international body in the world, the UK has the responsibility for taking the lead on Burma. How can we show international leadership on the crisis in Burma at the same time as cutting lifesaving aid to people in the country?
Email the British government now.
Thank you for your support
Anna Roberts
Executive Director
PS: The Burmese military is deliberately creating a humanitarian crisis as a way of soaking up resources of the democracy movement, and as psychological warfare to demoralise people. The Burmese military are already celebrating US cuts in aid to Burma. The British government must not give the Burmese military something else to celebrate. Be in no doubt, if the UK cuts aid to people in Burma, it will strengthen the Burmese military.
