"Dire and heartbreaking" Minister for State on situation in Syria
11 March 2019 (updated on 11 March 2019)
The Minister for State updated the House on the continuing humanitarian crisis in Syria and called it "dire and heartbreaking"
Following an urgent question to the Home Office on the case of Shamima Begum, Alistair Burt, the Minister for State for the Department for International Development said;
"I regret that I have to report to the House little positive news on the humanitarian situation: there remain nearly 12 million people in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria"
Estimates at the end of 2018 were that almost 8 million Syrians are displaced within the war-torn nation, with over 3 million having fled abroad.
The Minister State spoke about the UK's Aid programme, and applauded the work and generosity shown by neighbouring countries who were sheltering and caring for Syrian refugees.
Reaffirming the UK's commitment to funding aid in the region, the Minister concluded,
"We will continue to stand firm, support the people of Syria, stand shoulder to shoulder with their neighbours who do so much and, ultimately, do what we can to bring this crisis to an end."
Image: iStock
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