A busy meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on International Development heard powerful and moving testimony about the impact of some of the major conflicts and disasters facing the global community.
The meeting on 29th April 2025, chaired by Sarah Boyack MSP, joined by John Mason MSP and Liam Kerr MSP, welcomed guest speakers from different SIDA member organisations involved in responding to the crises in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, as well as an update on the Disasters Emergency Committee’s assistance to people affected by the recent earthquake in Myanmar.
Huw Owen, External Relations Manager for the DEC in Scotland, opened with an update on the devastating earthquake in Myanmar on 28 March 2025, which has claimed over 3,500 lives. The DEC appeal launched on 3rd April has already raised more than £21.6million, including £1.9 million from the public in Scotland and £200,000 from the Scottish Government.
Dr Unni Krishnan, Global Humanitarian Director at Plan International, spoke about aid efforts in Myanmar, including the distribution of dignity kits and provision of psycho-social support, particularly to vulnerable groups. A video from the British Red Cross illustrated recent reconstruction efforts.
Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK, spoke passionately about the humanitarian emergency in Sudan, now two years into its civil war. Drawing from his visits to camps for displaced people, he described the severe lack of infrastructure and services, and urged governments to push for a ceasefire and greater humanitarian support.
Othman Moqbel, CEO of Action for Humanity, discussed the worsening conflict in Gaza, highlighting the destruction, loss of life, and displacement, as well as the deaths of over 400 aid workers, including 280 UNRWA staff. He called on the Scottish Government to back efforts to lift the blockade on aid and increase humanitarian funding.
Tom Griffiths, Regional Director for the HALO Trust, spoke about mine clearance operations in Ukraine, including innovative use of drones and robots to detect and disarm unexploded ordnance, and support disabled ex-combatants.
Frances Guy, Chief Executive of SIDA and Chair of the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergencies Fund (HEF) Panel, responded by thanking the speakers and outlining the HEF’s work. The Fund allocates over £1 million annually to both high-profile and overlooked crises.
Participants in the room and online took part in a detailed discussion on some of the causes of the conflict situations, the need to build resilience and prevent future conflicts and disasters.
Presentations and resources from the meeting will be uploaded to the event page.
The Cross-Party Group on International Development works to ensure liaison between MSPs and organisations working in Scotland on issues related to global sustainable development and humanitarian action. More information about the Group can be found at International Development | Scottish Parliament Website, and a form to sign up to the Group’s mailing list can be found at Cross Party Group on International Development. The next meeting is expected to be held in September.