Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis: Covid-19

03 November 2020 · 6 other contributors · 11,748 words

Opened by Jeremy Corbyn Your Party Islington North

Responding minister: Nigel Adams

Asylum & RefugeesForeign AffairsNHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Jeremy Corbyn raised concerns about rohingya humanitarian crisis: covid-19 in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Mr Jeremy Corbyn raised concerns about the Rohingya humanitarian crisis worsened by the pandemic.
  • Corbyn asked for details on UK aid funding and additional sanctions against Myanmar officials and companies.
  • The UK pledged an additional 37.5 million for Rohingya refugees and local communities in Bangladesh.

Key requests to Government

Mr. Jeremy Corbyn asks for more details on future UK aid funding for Rohingya refugees and guarantees for their future living conditions. Additionally, he seeks information on additional sanctions against Myanmar officials and companies connected with the military, as well as assurances that no further PPE will be purchased from Myanmar.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Jeremy Corbyn Your Party Islington North

Mr. Jeremy Corbyn is concerned about the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic. He highlights that over 65 million people worldwide are either refugees or internally displaced persons, marking a record high in history. In Myanmar, over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh, with thousands more affected by violence and displacement. Mr. Corbyn also mentions the denial of citizenship rights to the Rohingya community and ongoing human rights abuses, including sexual abuse and trafficking within camps. He emphasises the need for urgent humanitarian aid and protection against further breaches of human rights in refugee camps.

Other contributors (6)
  • Apsana Begum Lab Poplar and Limehouse

    The UN is seeking permission to conduct comprehensive technical and protection assessments in Bhasan Char. I asked if the hon. Gentleman agrees that the UN must be allowed to inspect Bhasan Char, and until then no relocations should take place. Ms Begum raised concerns about the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, highlighting that there are approximately 1 million refugees in a country already facing significant challenges due to the pandemic. She mentioned increased gender-based violence, lack of sanitation, healthcare, and crowded conditions making distancing impossible. She also addressed the root cause of the crisis by referring to the military operation in Myanmar three years ago which led to thousands being killed and over 730,000 fleeing to Bangladesh.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Expressed concern about the impact of the pandemic on Rohingya refugees, noting that despite lower than anticipated cases of covid-19 in refugee camps, restrictions imposed by the Bangladeshi Government are having a devastating effect. Cited a report stating that reduced humanitarian access has led to increased unmet needs and desperation among the Rohingya population. Urged for more diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh to revise restrictive measures and increase aid, particularly focusing on shelter assistance and maintenance of public facilities. Yesterday, the Prime Minister or another official mentioned securing 90,000 ventilators for the United Kingdom, although only 4,000 have been used. Jim Shannon inquired whether it would be a good idea to send some of these surplus ventilators to help the Rohingya. He underlined the commitment of Her Majesty's Government, questioned the follow-up and regulation measures to ensure aid money goes where it should, and raised concerns about the accuracy of data on the humanitarian crisis.

  • Kirsten Oswald SNP East Ayrshire and Arran

    Ms Oswald highlighted the disproportionate impact of the covid-19 pandemic on Rohingya refugees, noting an 8% death rate compared to 2% for the Bangladeshi host community. She emphasised inadequate healthcare facilities, such as two ventilators in Cox's Bazar and a doctor-to-population ratio disparity between Bangladesh and the UK. Ms Oswald also mentioned increased vulnerability of children due to malnutrition and rising hate speech against Rohingya refugees.

  • Peter Bottomley Con Bognor Regis and Littlehampton

    As chair of the all-party group on British-Austrian relations, I have sent a message to His Excellency the Ambassador expressing sympathy for those affected by the crisis. I highlighted that one should not judge Muslims based on actions of individuals, just as Christians or Catholics should not be judged solely by their worst offenders. Mr Bottomley intervened, reminding that issues with Burma did not start with the Rohingya. He mentioned a report by ActionAid UK on women carrying the major burden of the covid crisis in Myanmar and Cox's Bazar refugee camps. He thanked the Backbench Business Committee for agreeing to the debate and noted that there would have been more participation if his hon. Friend had not been due in another Westminster Hall debate.

  • Preet Kaur Gill Lab Co-op Birmingham Edgbaston

    Discussed the Rohingya crisis, highlighting issues such as gender-based violence, inadequate education for children, and internet restrictions in refugee camps. Raised concerns about relocation to Bhasan Char island and asked for updates on diplomatic pressure on Myanmar.

  • Peter Bottomley Con Worthing West

    The hon. Member supported Jeremy Corbyn's motion and highlighted the need for reconciliation and support for the Rohingya people's right to return safely to their homes.

Government Response

Nigel Adams

The UK co-hosted a donor conference on the Rohingya refugee crisis on October 22, where $600 million in new and existing funding was announced. The UK pledged an additional £37.5 million for the Rohingya refugees and local communities in Bangladesh, bringing total UK commitment to nearly £300 million since 2017. This funding will provide education for over 50,000 children and food assistance for 290,000 refugees for four months. The minister highlighted efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Bangladesh camps, including deployment of UK emergency medical teams and hand-washing facilities added to camps. He emphasized the need for accurate data on transmission rates and long-term support for Rohingya communities. The UK also provided £44 million since 2017 for aid in Myanmar, focusing on education, nutrition, water, health, sanitation and livelihoods support. Minister Adams addressed calls for sanctions, stating that while direct sanctions have been applied to perpetrators of atrocities against the Rohingya, more targeted actions are under review to impact military but not harm poor people. He stressed the importance of creating conditions allowing Rohingya to return safely and voluntarily to Myanmar.

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