SNP back Burma relief effort

The First Minister has expressed his support for the work of the Disasters Emergency committee and Scottish aid organisations responding to the cyclone in Burma.

Speaking yesterday during First Minister’s Questions Mr Salmond said:

“In our international policy, we have declared that the Government stands ready to help. This is a humanitarian disaster on a global scale. We will co-ordinate our work with that of the Disasters Emergency Committee.

"I will take forward every suggestion by all parties in the chamber to enable Scotland to come to the aid of people in distress internationally.”

Aileen Campbell MSP, who is also Vice-Convenor of the Parliament’s Cross Party Group on International Development, has lodged a Parliamentary Motion which is winning support from all sides of the Parliament.

The motion asks the Parliament to express it’s “shock and concern” at the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis to towns and communities across Burma and to urge the military government to accept international aid.

Aileen said:

“Scotland is united in our wish to see aid and relief reach people affected by the cyclone in Burma as quickly as possible, and we are shocked by the massive loss of life in the country.

“The Parliament has consistently spoken out in favour of democracy and freedom in Burma, and now is not a time for the military regime there to engage in posturing.

“At First Minister’s Questions yesterday, Alex Salmond stressed his support for the Scottish agencies responding to this disaster, and my colleagues in all parties will wish to see Scotland do whatever it can to provide assistance to the people of Burma.

“The Scottish Parliament and Government have come together to offer support in previous situations and I have no doubt that the Government will support relief and recovery efforts as much as it can.”

S3M-01847 Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (Scottish National Party): Cyclone in Burma— That the Parliament expresses its shock and concern at the massive loss of life in Burma following the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis passing through the country; sends its support to the humanitarian agencies and personnel working to alleviate the damage and save lives, and believes that the military regime in Burma should co-operate fully with the international community in order to ensure that relief and recovery efforts reach all those affected by the disaster as quickly as possible.