US announces $200 mn additional humanitarian assistance for Rohingya crisis

The United States has announced nearly $200 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya crisis.

Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E Biegun on Thursday made the announcement at a virtual conference on Sustaining International Support for the Rohingya Refugee Response.

The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) conducted the conference jointly, said a press release.

The assistance will be provided in Fiscal Year 2020 for Rohingya refugees, host communities in Bangladesh and other countries in the region, and internally displaced Rohingya and other crisis-affected communities in Burma, including those who fled ethnic cleansing in Rakhine State.   

Deputy Secretary Biegun joined co-hosts in reiterating calls for the Government of Burma to create the necessary conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of Rohingya to their places of origin or of their own choice in Burma.  

Finally, the Deputy Secretary underscored the importance of upholding international humanitarian principles and law and cautioned against unsustainable unilateral solutions that could put Rohingya and others in danger.  

US Secretary of State in a statement said The United States stands with the UK, the EU, and UNHCR in expressing appreciation for the many donors that announced contributions.  

He further mentioned that the US has been working with its partners to stop the cycle of violence in Rakhine State, including by cooperating to end the trafficking of weapons and narcotics that have contributed to instability for so long.

Acting Administrator Barsa emphasized the commitment of the US to coordinating humanitarian relief and development assistance to respond to the Rohingya crisis and strengthening Bangladesh's resilience.

The UN has appealed for more than $1 billion in aid to meet the humanitarian needs of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh this year.