US announces $199m new aid for Rohingya refugees 

The United States has announced nearly $199 million in new assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. 

Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya made the announcement on Tuesday (24 September) while participating in the high-level United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) side event on the Rohingya crisis.

According to a press note by the Office of the US spokesperson, this funding includes nearly $70 million through the Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and over $129 million from USAID, $78 million of which comes from the Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation which will help USAID to purchase, ship, and distribute food from American farmers to Rohingya refugees and host community members in Bangladesh.

The assistance aims to save lives and help protect, shelter, and feed those forced to flee violence and persecution. Additionally, it will be used to support disaster preparedness and protection for refugees and host communities; bolster access to education and skills training; and prepare refugees for their potential return home when conditions allow, reads the press note.

The US government has provided more than $2.5 billion for the regional Rohingya response since August 2017, including more than $2.1 billion in Bangladesh, of which nearly $1.3 billion was contributed through PRM.  

"The United States remains committed to delivering assistance to crisis-affected communities in Bangladesh and the region and calls on other donors to continue their support," the press release said.