The Government closely follows the situation of the Rohingya people in Myanmar/Burma. The decision taken by the Government of Myanmar/Burma ordering Médecins Sans Frontières to cease its activities is deeply worrying. I reiterate calls made by the international community that urge the Government of Myanmar/Burma to grant safe, timely, full and unhindered humanitarian access across Rakhine State to all persons in need. In view of the findings by the EU Delegation in Myanmar during their visit to Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP) Camps in Rakhine, Ireland and our partners in the EU will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those in most need. Ireland together with EU partners calls on the Government of Myanmar/Burma to address the underlying causes of ethnic tensions in Rakhine and guarantee respect for human rights and the rule of law for all people in Myanmar/Burma.
Currently, the EU is providing around 70 million Euro to the people of Rakhine State, most of which is used to meet the humanitarian needs of the people of the region. Since 2007, over €7m has been provided by Irish Aid to NGOs and Irish missionaries for both long term development and emergency and recovery responses in Myanmar/Burma. In December 2013, the Tánaiste announced an additional programme of funding worth €500,000. Ireland has traditionally supported the efforts of the international community to address destabilising ethnic conflicts and the communities they displace. Ireland, as an elected member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, will continue to do so at the 25th Session of the Council currently underway in Geneva.
