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 Burma.
USAID Administrator Mark Green announced this new funding during his visit to the Kutapalong camp in Cox’s Bazar, said a press release issued by the US embassy today.
This brings the US contribution to the crisis response in Burma and Bangladesh to more than $207 million since August 25, 2017, and total US humanitarian assistance for displaced Rohingya in and from Burma to more than $299 million since October 1, 2016.
Since last August, nearly 700,000 Rohingya people have fled violence in Burma’s Rakhine State, crossing the border into Bangladesh, which was already hosting more than 300,000 Rohingya refugees. In addition, in Burma, 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.
As the world’s largest humanitarian provider, the United States is actively responding to urgent needs on both sides of the Burma-Bangladesh border.
With this new funding, the United States will provide emergency food assistance in and around Cox’s Bazar, to include emergency food for general distribution, specialized foods to treat acute malnutrition, and vouchers so refugees can buy food in local markets, where available.
This funding will also provide emergency food and nutrition assistance, shelter, medical care, and other critical aid for millions of people affected by the ongoing conflict in Rakhine, Shan, and Kachin States in Burma.