John Baron MP highlights correlation between underfunding of refugees camps and mass exodus – in Commons Statement

MP presses Minister to press international partners

Today in the House of Commons, during a Statement by the Government about the EU-Turkey refugee agreement John Baron MP pressed the Minister about the international community’s negligent underfunding of the refugee camps across the Middle East.

John said:

“The EU-Turkey agreement is one component of the wider issue of underfunding regarding refugee camps across the Middle East. What is the Government going to do to support the UN’s call for more funding from our international partners – including many EU countries?”

The Minister, The Rt. Hon. David Liddington confirmed in response that there was a direct correlation between the cut in UN funding last summer and the surge in migration we have seen since.

John said afterwards:

“It has been an international disgrace that many United Nation members, including many EU countries, have failed to support the refugee camps. Their underfunding has led to a mass exodus from which we are now having to cope. It also risks spurning extremism. We should learn the lessons of history.”

Ends
Word Count: 184
Date: 9th March 2016