The Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs on February 9 confirmed that the country would increase its humanitarian aid for Myanmar.
According to the Minister, Stephen Smith, the amount will increase over the next three fiscal years from the current amount of 30 million AUD (26 million USD) to 50 million AUD.
Smith said that countries should start helping Myanmar restore its economy and social infrastructure. However, Australia will still continue to maintain financial sanctions, which have been in effect since 2007, on several individuals and organisations, the minister said.
Australia has also put travel restrictions on Myanmar ’s high-ranking military officers and banned arms export to the Southeast Asian country since 1988./.