Christian human rights group disappointed at lack of action on Burma

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has expressed its disappointment with the response from the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) to calls for increased aid for Burma, including cross-border assistance, and funding for democracy-building projects.

In a report published Tuesday, DFID failed to accept any of the specific recommendations made by the House of Commons International Development Committee.

In July, the International Development Committee called on DFID to quadruple British aid to Burma, provide funding for cross-border initiatives to reach internally displaced people, and fund exiled pro-democracy and human rights projects.

While DFID acknowledged the need for increased aid to Burma, it offered no new funding beyond the additional £1 million already allocated. DFID's overall aid to Burma is currently £8.8 million.

This figure is described by the Committee as "substantially lower than the Department's funding of other countries with similarly poor human rights records".

DFID currently gives Burma a quarter of the aid it gives to Zimbabwe.

CSW provided oral and written evidence to the International Development Committee and has campaigned for many years for cross-border aid to the Internally Displaced People.

Stuart Windsor, CSW's National Director, said today: "We are gravely disappointed with DFID's response to the House of Commons International Development Committee's recommendations. DFID appear not to have accepted a single one of the Committee's very carefully researched recommendations, and have offered nothing which will give hope to the people of Burma who are suffering desperate poverty and dire abuses of human rights.

"In light of the current crisis in Burma, we are extremely surprised that although the UK Government, and especially the Prime Minister, has pledged to help the suffering people of Burma, this commitment seemingly excludes practical support through increasing aid donations. The hungry people on the run from this brutal regime in Burma's jungles need more."