😢 Myanmar Earthquake

• The UK Government expressed deep condolences to those affected by the devastating earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand, where over 3,000 people have died.
• The UK has provided an immediate £10 million in humanitarian aid to support the response in Myanmar, focusing on delivering food, water, medicine, and shelter through trusted local partners.
• The aid is specifically allocated to avoid benefiting Myanmar’s military regime, and it is in addition to the country’s regular official development assistance.
• The UK also supports the emergency response through global funds like the United Nations central emergency response fund and the Access to Health fund.
• Concerns were raised about ongoing military airstrikes in Myanmar, which continue despite the need for humanitarian access; the UK condemns these attacks and calls for unhindered humanitarian access.
• The UK’s consular support continues to function normally in Thailand, with no reported issues for British nationals in the region.
• Members of Parliament questioned the specifics of aid delivery, including how it reaches opposition-controlled areas, the involvement of aid partners, and potential support for British businesses in Myanmar.
• The UK is considering contributing through the UK Aid Match scheme if the Disasters Emergency Committee launches an appeal for the disaster.
• There are plans to provide separate and long-term support for the Rohingya refugees, with ongoing discussions and monitoring of their needs.
• The UK aims to ensure effective and safe delivery of aid, working closely with international partners like the US, EU, and neighboring countries such as Singapore and India.

The parliamentary session on the Myanmar Earthquake exhibited a very low level of disagreement among the participants. The session was primarily focused on expressing condolences and discussing the UK’s response to the disaster. There was a broad consensus across political lines on the need to support the affected regions of Myanmar and Thailand. Members from different parties, including the Labour Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Democrats, and the SNP, consistently expressed solidarity and support for the disaster-stricken areas and the humanitarian efforts being undertaken.

Examples of the lack of disagreement include: 1. Priti Patel (Conservative) expressed thanks for the Minister’s statement and sought further details on the aid package, but her questions were more about clarification than opposition. 2. Luke Akehurst (Labour) expressed horror at the ongoing military actions but did not challenge the government’s approach to the situation. 3. Monica Harding (Liberal Democrat) welcomed the £10 million aid announcement and inquired about further funding and aid delivery but did not express disagreement with the government’s policy. 4. Alex Sobel (Labour/Co-op) and Dame Harriett Baldwin (Conservative) both asked about potential support through the Disasters Emergency Committee, indicating a shared interest in additional aid but no disagreement. 5. Mr Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) mentioned cuts to international development but his critique was directed at the broader policy rather than the immediate response to the earthquake. 6. Mark Garnier (Conservative) and Dr Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat) focused on specific areas like support for businesses and the role of media, respectively, without challenging the main points of the government’s statement.

The session’s focus was on providing support and understanding the mechanisms of aid distribution rather than engaging in political disputes. Questions posed by MPs were aimed at gaining clarity and ensuring effective delivery of aid, not to challenge or critique the overarching policy or response to the disaster. The Minister, Catherine West, responded to the questions in a cooperative manner, providing assurances and additional information where requested.

Overall, the session displayed a unified front across the House in dealing with this tragedy, warranting a low disagreement rating of 1.