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<p>The government believes that the root causes of migration must be addressed, and
not just the symptoms. A comprehensive solution is needed that will reduce the pull
and push factors causing people to leave their countries of origin. We must also address
the transit routes being used, as well as disrupting the criminal elements who are
smuggling and trafficking humans. We are working closely with EU and international
partners to find such a solution.</p><p>Because it is the gateway to western Mediterranean
irregular migration, the government is also working with other countries to bring
about a functioning government in Libya.</p><p>The government has provided substantial
development and humanitarian assistance to help refugees from the civil war in Syria.
The Unted Kingdom has now committed more than £1 billion of aid to help people displaced
by the conflict there, both within Syria and in neighbouring countries, and to encourage
stability. This makes the UK the EU’s largest donor, and second largest donor (after
the USA) overall.</p><p>United Kingdom support has helped to provide more than 20
million food rations, 2.5 million medical consultations, and given 1.6 million people
access to clean water . The UK is providing education to a quarter of a million children
in the area.</p><p>Additionally, the Prime Minister announced on 7 September that
the UK will resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees from the region over the course of this
parliament.</p><p>An EU/Africa Summit in Valletta in November offers the opportunity
to develop a robust and comprehensive set of proposals to deal with the upstream cause
of irregular migration. We are fully engaged in the preparations.</p><p>The Prime
Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), The Secretary of
State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede
and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), The Secretary of State for International Development,
my right hon. Friend the member for Putney (Ms Greening) and I have all discussed
preparations for Valetta with other European governments and the European Commission.</p>
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