Dhaka Tribune
Since last August,
nearly 700,000 Rohingyas entered Bangladesh fleeing violence in Myanmar
The United States, through the US Agency for
International Development (USAID), is providing an additional $44 million in
humanitarian assistance to meet the urgent needs of Rohingya refugees and
others affected by violence and conflict in Myanmar.
This brings the US
contribution to the crisis response in Myanmar and Bangladesh to more than $207
million since August 25, 2017.
US have given more
than $299 million as humanitarian assistance for displaced Rohingyas in and
from Myanmar since October 1, 2016.
USAID Administrator
Mark Green announced this new funding during his visit to the Kutapalong camp
in Cox’s Bazar.
US Ambassador in
Dhaka, Marcia Bernicat, was also present.
Since last August,
nearly 700,000 Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh fleeing the violence which
erupted in Myanmar's Rakhine State. Before the recent influx, Bangladesh was
already hosting more than 300,000 Rohingya refugees.
In addition, in
Myanmar, 8.3 million people live in areas affected by conflict, not only in
Rakhine State, but throughout the country.
This conflict, and
the ensuing displacement of people, has created one of the world's largest
humanitarian crises.
The United States
remains committed to helping those affected by this conflict and commend the
government and people of Bangladesh, who have responded swiftly and generously
to the refugees arriving in Bangladesh, says the US Embassy in Dhaka.
As the world's
largest humanitarian provider, the United States is actively responding to
urgent needs on both sides of the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, it said.
With this new
funding, the United States will provide emergency food assistance in and around
Cox's Bazar, including emergency food for general distribution, specialized
foods to treat acute malnutrition, and vouchers so refugees can buy food in
local markets, where available.
Besides providing
emergency food and nutrition assistance, this funding will also help with
shelter, medical care, and other critical aid for millions of people affected
by the ongoing conflict in Rakhine, Shan, and Kachin States in Myanmar.
This US assistance
also supports humanitarian organizations, including the UN High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM),
UNICEF, and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, to provide protection,
emergency shelter, water, sanitation, health care, and psychosocial support for
people affected by the crisis.
The assistance also
supports disaster preparedness for the impending monsoon and cyclone seasons,
in order to prevent loss of life, shelter, and access to critical services.
In addition to
humanitarian funding, other assistance to Cox's Bazar host communities is
delivered by the World Food Program through a grant funded by the US Department
of Agriculture's McGovern-Dole program (International Food for Education and
Child Nutrition Program: Bangladesh).
This school feeding program
provides nearly 48,000 primary school children in Cox's Bazar with a daily high
energy biscuit, establishes school gardens, and improves health and dietary
practices within local communities.
Also, the US Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides direct technical and
scientific support to prevent, detect, and respond to disease outbreaks and
other major public health issues facing the Rohingya.