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The UK Government and others believe great progress has been made in Burma in the last few years, although a host of major problems remain. There is currently an opportunity to help bring about transformational change in Burma, helping the Burmese people to develop a democracy, a vibrant economy and decent basic services. We recognise that some critics, notably Burma Campaign UK, think the Government is naive in rewarding a Burmese Government which it believes is not serious about reform, but we support the Government's approach: the reformers in the Burmese Government need support. Progress will not happen by standing back, adopting a cynical attitude to change.
Burma presents a unique development opportunity. After 60 years of conflict and decades of military dictatorship the country has begun a process of reform. Although this is uncertain and fragile there is a real opportunity to raise the country out of poverty, develop the economy and build a society moving towards democracy and accountability to the people. Progress is unpredictable and likely to be bumpy but we believe backing the reforms and working to deliver public services and develop livelihoods offers unprecedented potential.
We recommend that DFID Burma's budget be increased from £60 million to £100 million to allow for what we believe to be necessary support for education, the peace process and parliamentary strengthening.
Politics within the country cannot be ignored. We believe that DFID should be more engaged in the political nature of Burma's development. The UK should be willing to criticise the Burmese Government. We recommend the UK continue to press for constitutional reform, including removing the block on Aung San Sui Kyi standing as President, but also for the development of a federal structure. The situation of the Rohingya is a major threat to the whole reform process. We appreciate that it is an extremely sensitive issue, but the UK must take a stronger position with the Burmese Government to address the Rohingya's plight. We recommend that DFID do more to encourage interfaith dialogue and to ensure that the Rohingya have access to education and health services.
The situation in Burma is rapidly changing so DFID needs to act flexibly. We welcome the accelerated reform programme which enables it to do this.
A major focus of our inquiry and DFID's programme is governance. We support DFID's work to assist the peace process, constitutional reform, improvements to public financial management and the reform of the Burmese military, the Tatmadaw, but recommend that additional funding be available to facilitate the process as opportunities arise. DFID must support the peace process and encourage the inclusion of women. Dealing with human rights abuses by the military, or any other group, cannot be swept under the carpet or Burma will be left with festering sores.
We welcome the UK's support for the Burmese Parliament. Some good work is being done, but in the long term there needs to be fundamental reforms in the UK's approach to parliamentary strengthening to ensure that DFID and the Foreign Office can draw on UK organisations instead of relying mainly on non-UK organisations such as United Nations Development Programme and National Democratic Institute.
Effective work on governance depends on understanding the political context and making contacts. We recommend that DFID stress the importance of its staff engaging in the politics of Burma and continue to work closely with the Embassy staff. While supporting Aung San Sui Kyi's right to stand for President, the UK must ensure she is not the only political reformer we engage with. We must also consider our relations with the ethnic minority groups.
Burma has become a fashionable country for donors. The coordination of their work is vital. The UK chairs the Development Partners Working Group and so is in a good position to foster cooperation. We recommend that the UK makes this role a priority taking the lead in fostering cooperation amongst donors and encouraging small donors to work through multi-donor funds and for the Burmese Government to set a minimum figure for small donor bilateral programmes.
Health is the largest element in DFID's budget in Burma. We particularly welcome DFID's spending on strengthening the health system. We recommend that even more emphasis be given to addressing drug resistant malaria in Burma, which threatens to spread to the rest of the world with the most serious consequences.
DFID has a small education budget. The Minister believes this has to be abandoned or increased. Given the extent of need we recommend an increase so that it can have an impact. A key focus should be teacher training.
We considered where DFID could make savings. In the longer run, spending could be reduced in refugee camps on the border with Thailand if the peace process succeeds and conditions improve in Burma, but this cannot happen immediately.
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