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<p>On hearing of the expulsion of Médicins San Frontières (MSF) on 26 February, the
British Embassy registered our concerns with the Burmese government that same evening.
Since then we have been liaising very closely with MSF tailoring our lobbying to their
support, as they negotiate with the Burmese authorities. The British Ambassador visited
the MSF clinic in Sittwe during his visit to Rakhine State from 19-20 March to hear
first-hand the impact this decision has had on the local community.</p><p>I summoned
the Burmese Ambassador to London on 7 April to make clear our grave concerns about
the situation in Rakhine State, including the expulsion of Médicins San Frontières.
I called on the Burmese government to urgently restore humanitarian access to all
communities in need and to ensure the security of humanitarian aid workers and all
communities in Rakhine State so that they can operate free of constraint and intimidation.
We continue to make clear to the Burmese authorities that there must be no deterioration
in the provision of health services in Rakhine State, which is already on the brink
of crisis.</p><p> </p>
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