- The UK has bolstered its support to Myanmar earthquake, allocating a further £10 million to the ongoing humanitarian response
- This brings the UK total to up to £25 million of support, including up to £5 million to match donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal and £10 million announced on 29 March
- UK-funded supplies are already reaching areas devastated by the quake, helping over 15,000 people so far
Lifesaving support for those directly affected by the severe earthquake in Myanmar will now go even further, with the UK now providing up to £25 million for vital humanitarian assistance.
The increase is the result of an additional £10million of UK funding directed towards the humanitarian response.
It comes as UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West, this afternoon (4 April) visited the offices of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) in London, to hear about the realities of delivering aid to the most vulnerable across Myanmar.
The UK has already pledged to aid match every pound donated by the British public to the DEC appeal, up to £5million.
UK funds, delivered through partners on the ground, are already helping to provide immediate support to the most vulnerable areas and people, including first aid, emergency and trauma care and primary healthcare, food, water, shelter and hygiene kits. The additional £10 million directed to the response will provide a further boost to these efforts, saving lives and supporting livelihoods across Myanmar. No UK support goes to the Myanmar regime.
Catherine West, Minister for the Indo-Pacific, said:
Even before this earthquake struck, Myanmar was already facing one of the world’s biggest humanitarian crises after four years of conflict.
It is right that we step up to help. The rapid UK response means lifesaving supplies are already reaching those worst-affected by the quake – and new funding will enable partners on the ground to reach even more people in need.
We thank the British public who continue to generously support the Myanmar people through the DEC appeal.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works with a network of specialist partner organisations to deliver targeted support on the ground. This means UK support is able to reach those most in need, despite the challenges of operating in Myanmar.
The UK government has a strong track record of providing humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, with total UK support since the 2021 military coup standing at over £170 million. Our modern approach to aid not only supports some of the world’s most vulnerable people but also helps address global challenges from health to migration, ultimately contributing to the UK’s security and prosperity.
In addition to humanitarian assistance, the FCDO continues to provide consular assistance to British nationals in both Myanmar and Thailand, which was also affected by last week’s earthquake.
Notes to editors
Funding the UK has committed to the Myanmar earthquake response includes:
- An initial package of up to £10m to support the emergency response;
- £5m to match donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee public appeal for Myanmar, launched Thursday 3 April;
- A further £10m funding directed for humanitarian assistance, announced today.
UK humanitarian support for Myanmar’s citizens will not support Myanmar’s military regime.
