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<p>The Burmese and Bangladeshi authorities are discussing a refugee return process.
During the Secretary of State for International Development’s visit to Bangladesh
25-26 November 2017, she underlined to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that any future
returns from Bangladesh must be safe, voluntary, dignified and consistent with international
standards. UNHCR has stated that these conditions are not yet being met in northern
Rakhine State. We will continue to press the Governments of Bangladesh and Burma to
work with the international community to identify acceptable solutions that protect
and respect the rights and freedoms of refugees, and that include international monitoring.</p><p>Since
August 2017, the UK has announced £59 million to support implementation of the international
Humanitarian Response Plan to meet the needs of refugees in Bangladesh. The UK has
provided £1 million to the Burma Red Cross and £2 million to the World Food Programme
to meet humanitarian needs in northern Rakhine State, Burma. No UK funding will be
made available to support a returns process that does not meet international standards.</p>
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