By DT
United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl
Miller has said the US will continue to work with Bangladesh, NGO and
international organization colleagues to help address the Rohingya crisis.
United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl
Miller vowed to continue to work with Bangladesh
Appreciating the generosity, compassion, and
humanity of the government and the people of Bangladesh shown towards Rohingya
refugees living in Cox's Bazar, Miller said: "Your response to this crisis
has been an example to the world."
He said this on Facebook live, hours after
the US Department of State announced new humanitarian assistance for Rohingyas
and the host community on Wednesday.
The US ambassador stated made the appearance
on the social media platform as the day was an important one for the
US–Bangladesh relationship.
"It’s important for the nearly one
million Rohingya refugees living in Cox’s Bazar. It’s important for the
hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis who opened their hearts to host the refugees.
It’s important for the government of Bangladesh, which opened its borders to
provide a safe haven. And, it’s important for the international donor community
and NGOs working with the government of Bangladesh to address this ongoing
crisis," he said.
At the United Nations General Assembly in New
York, the US announced a new contribution to help address the Rohingya crisis.
Since the start of the crisis in August of
2017, the US has contributed nearly $542 million and is the leading donor in
humanitarian assistance.
"We pledged a new contribution of more
than $127 million. Of that, $89 million will go to programs in Bangladesh,
assisting both Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi host communities," said
the US Ambassador.
This new funding brings the total US
contribution to more than $669 million since the outbreak of violence in August
2017.
The majority of those funds -- more than $553
million -- is for programs inside Bangladesh.
This funding provides assistance to
Bangladeshi communities hosting refugees.
This new humanitarian assistance is just one
way the United States has partnered with Bangladesh over the years, said the US
envoy.
Since 1971, the United States has provided
more than $7 billion in development assistance to Bangladesh.
Last year alone, the US government, through
USAID, provided over $219 million to improve the lives of people across
Bangladesh, increasing food security and economic opportunities, improving
access to education and healthcare, protecting the environment, and boosting
resilience to natural disasters.
"Let me take a moment to recognize the
dedicated men and women of the United Nations and our humanitarian partners for
their tireless and admirable commitment in assisting refugee and Bangladeshi
communities," said the US envoy.
He said, these selfless hardworking men and
women provide lifesaving services every day under very challenging conditions.
"We are proud to partner with them."
Ambassador Miller said, because it is only
through these trusted NGOs and other partners, operating freely and openly,
that the US and other donors can deliver help to refugee and Bangladeshi
populations in need.
"They are essential in ensuring
Bangladesh does not bear sole responsibility for helping the refugee
population. These organizations deserve our full support," he said.
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Don’t forget to read more below:
UN FFM Report: 600,000 Rohingya still in
Myanmar at 'serious risk of genocide': https://lnkd.in/grp4Gvg