USAID chief will travel to Burma and tell its leaders about the Rohingya plight.
“I will be going to Burma. My job is to listen and learn. I will talk to people in Burma about what I have seen here,” said USAID Administrator Mark Andrew Green in Dhaka Wednesday.
He was talking with a group of journalists after having a meeting with Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque.
“I also listen to them and give message back to secretary of state who makes important decision in the future,” he added.
The administrator came to Dhaka on May 14 and visited Cox’s Bazar the next day. He will be flying to Myanmar from here Thursday.
He visited Kutupalong camp, the largest refugee camp in the world where over half a million Rohingyas take shelter. He also went to Balukhali camp where he announced new package of $44 million assistance for the Rohingyas.
“My visit is to learn. It is a chance for me to visit Cox’s Bazar to see and learn for myself with my own eyes and also to speak with Rohingya and Bangladeshi officials,” Green said.
About the assistance from other countries, he said, “We do believe the other countries should step up and do more. This is the time of need for Rohingya People, but also for their hosts, Bangladeshis, both local communities and the government of Bangladesh, which I think has shown remarkable hospitality.”
He was of the view that the US should be joined by others in helping to provide support to others.
“We all understand that monsoon is coming and this is a time of need and during the time of need I think all of those of us who believe in supporting human existence, human being and families, it is time for us to do our part and be supportive,” he said.
Washington provided $207 million assistance in the last 10 months for the Rohingya people who compelled to flee their homeland, Rakhine, due to massive atrocities committed on them by Myanmar military force.