The Department of State said Thursday the United States will provide additional humanitarian assistance to the people in Burma, Bangladesh, and the region.
Under-Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya met with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and announced more than USD 74 million in additional US humanitarian assistance to support humanitarian responses in the region.
These include nearly USD 61 million to support Rohingya internally displaced in Burma as well as Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh, according to a statement from the State Dept.
With this new funding, total US humanitarian assistance for Rohingya and other persons affected by ongoing violence across Burma reaches more than USD 2.1 billion since August 2017, after which 740,000 Rohingya fled genocide, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing in Burma’s Rakhine State for safety in Bangladesh.
In Bangladesh, this new humanitarian assistance will provide life-sustaining support to the nearly 980,000 Rohingya refugees, many of whom are survivors of genocide, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing, and 540,000 generous host community members.
In Burma, the funding will assist in meeting the critical humanitarian needs of IDPs and other vulnerable groups, including for Rohingya and other conflict-affected populations in Rakhine State as well as for those in newly emerged conflict areas since the February 2021 military coup.
“We urge other donors to contribute robustly to the humanitarian response and increase support to those driven from and affected by the ongoing crisis in Burma,” the statement said.
“The United States applauds the generosity of the government and people of Bangladesh and other Rohingya-hosting countries in the region.
“The United States is seriously concerned about the military regime’s escalating violence in Burma. “We remain committed to finding lasting solutions to the crisis, including the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return and reintegration of displaced Rohingya when conditions in Burma allow,” it added.
Source: Kuwait News Agency