US announces $180m additional assistance for Rohingyas

The United States (US) has announced nearly 180 million US dollar in additional assistance for Rohingyas facing humanitarian crisis in and outside Myanmar and affected host communities in Bangladesh, reports BSS. 

"Of this funding, nearly $158 million is for programs inside Bangladesh," said US Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Tuesday.

According to US embassy here today, she said Bangladesh and its people have taken on an enormous responsibility in hosting Rohingyas.

"We stand with the Government of Bangladesh and with Rohingya in working toward the ultimate goal of the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return and reintegration of Rohingya refugees and internally displaced person," the ambassador said.

For decades, she said Rohingya in Myanmar have faced a campaign of cruelty like torture, rape, arson, killings and massacres.

"While we relentlessly pressure Burma's military regime to stop its violence and return to the path to democracy, the international community must examine other durable solutions for Rohingya," she said.

Since the coup in Myanmar, she said the heartbreaking humanitarian situation has been even more dire.

"Nearly 900,000 Rohingya have been forced to take refuge in Bangladesh. We cannot ignore their plight," she added.

The ambassador said this assistance will provide protection, shelter, food, safe drinking water, health care, and psychosocial support.

It will also assist disaster preparedness and COVID-19 relief for Rohingya while bolster access to education and skills training for Rohingya in Bangladesh - key for those who wish to pursue repatriation once conditions are suitable, she continued.

"If you've already donated, we urge you to increase your commitment. And if you have not made a contribution, now is the time to join us," she urged other countries.

She was addressing the virtual meeting titled "High-Level Side Event on Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (Rohingya) crisis: Imperatives for a Sustainable Solution", held under Bangladesh auspices.

The US representative thanked Bangladesh and other co-hosts for convening the important event.

Bangladesh organised the event cosponsored by eight countries and organisations including United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and European Union (EU).