United States is providing an additional $23.8 million in humanitarian assistance to Bangladesh through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to provide emergency food and nutrition assistance to the Rohingyas.
Through this new funding, USAID will work with the United Nations World Food Program to provide essential food and nutrition to 925,000 Rohingyas, including electronic vouchers to purchase basic and fresh food, with a special focus on children, pregnant and lactating women in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
The aid comes amid a funding shortfall of nearly $100 million at a time when food rations are being reduced in Rohingya camps, says a media release.
US Ambassador to Dhaka Peter Haas said, ‘The US is committed to providing assistance to refugees and affected communities in Bangladesh. But more is needed. We call on other donors to join us in providing additional support to meet the needs of the Rohingyas. We also call on the Government of Bangladesh to provide the Rohingya population with opportunities to engage in sustainable livelihood activities to enable them to reduce their dependence on humanitarian aid.’
About one million ethnic Rohingya people from Myanmar who have taken refuge in Bangladesh are currently living in the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar and on the island of Bhasanchar in the Bay of Bengal. They are relying on humanitarian aid to meet basic needs.
Since August 2017, the US has provided more than $2 billion in response to the crisis.
