EU Provides €68 Million to Support Rohingya Response
The European Union (EU) has announced that it will provide €68 million (US$70.9 million) in funding this year to support the Rohingya response, the Bangladesh transitional government announced on Monday.
Funding to Support Host Communities and Those Affected by Violence
According to Anadolu Ajansi, the funding will support host communities in Bangladesh as well as people affected by violence in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state. The government made the announcement following a meeting between Muhammad Yunus, head of the transitional government, and visiting EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib in Dhaka on Monday.
Funding Crisis for Persecuted Myanmar Nationals
The announcement of financial aid comes amid a severe funding crisis for the persecuted Myanmar nationals. The EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management noted that while the amount exceeds last year’s initial EU contribution, it is still insufficient to prevent a significant deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the camps.
Bangladesh’s Commitment to Addressing the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis
Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.2 million Rohingya in the southeastern Cox’s Bazar district since they fled a military crackdown in Myanmar in 2017. Yunus reiterated his government’s commitment to addressing the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, describing it as a "big issue" for Bangladesh.
"It has been going on for several years without any solution," he added. "The UN Secretary-General is coming. We are trying to draw international attention to the Rohingya crisis," said Yunus.
UN Secretary-General’s Visit to Bangladesh
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to visit Bangladesh from March 13 to 16.
UN Resident Coordinator’s Concerns about Funding Crisis
Meanwhile, the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, expressed similar concerns about the funding crisis for the Rohingya when she met with Yunus on Sunday. "We are very worried about the money situation," she said.
Conclusion
The EU’s funding announcement is a step in the right direction to address the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, but more needs to be done to prevent a significant deterioration of the situation in the camps. The government and international organizations must work together to find a lasting solution to this crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the amount of funding provided by the EU to support the Rohingya response?
The EU has provided €68 million (US$70.9 million) in funding this year to support the Rohingya response. - Who will benefit from the funding?
The funding will support host communities in Bangladesh as well as people affected by violence in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state. - How long has Bangladesh been hosting Rohingya refugees?
Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.2 million Rohingya in the southeastern Cox’s Bazar district since they fled a military crackdown in Myanmar in 2017.