6 CONCLUSION
101. The litany of human rights abuses taking place
in Burma, the country's ongoing conflict, its dire poverty and
the resultant displacement crisis create a complex and highly
challenging environment in which to deliver aid. Yet providing
assistance to Burma's displaced populations and refugees is an
imperative, and can be done without sustaining the country's brutal
regime. As one of only four donors with a staffed office in Burma,
DFID is in a leading position to build on its current programmes
of support to IDPs and refugees. The Department should substantially
increase its aid to Burma and maximise its impact by a dual focus
on in-country and cross-border assistance from Thailand.
102. Burma is one of the world's forgotten crises;
its people, and particularly its ethnic minorities, struggle daily
to protect their security and health. The displaced are forced
into the countries' margins, into border regions where infectious
diseases and conflict rage. Their future, like the country's,
lies in the balance. It is beyond the scope of our report to find
answers to Burma's political and social nightmare. But we believe
that with efficient targeting and implementation, UK aid can make
a real difference to the humanitarian situation of Burma's displaced
peoples and refugees.
103. We intend to review within 12 months, including
by taking further oral evidence, the extent to which the Government
has responded to and implemented our recommendations.
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