Bangladesh has been the front line of sheltering Rohingya refugees that have had to flee their homes in Myanmar due to persecution. The UK Government is committed to supporting these refugees, who have been living in dire conditions, and the Bangladesh host communities affected by this crisis.
To this end, they are providing much needed assistance through vital food, water, sanitation and protection packages for both refugees and Bangladesh host communities living around Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
Whilst support is given in the short-term, the UK Government insists that a long-term solution needs to be found so the Rohingya can return safely home to Myanmar.
Official UK Government Statement British High Commission Dhaka.
The United Kingdom is contributing an additional £4.5 million to sustain the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh, lifting its funding from the start of the crisis in August 2017 to a total of £345 million. This additional support to WFP (£3m) and UNICEF (£1.5m) will provide food, water, sanitation, and child protection to Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson said,
“The UK remains committed to supporting Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh. This new UK assistance will provide vital food, water, sanitation, and protection to Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
“The UK continues to push for a long-term solution that will enable the Rohingya to return to Myanmar on a safe, voluntary and dignified basis, when the conditions there allow. We will continue to provide support to the Rohingya whilst they remain in Bangladesh.”
This new UK support will provide
- Food assistance to 219,000 Rohingya refugees
- Water, sanitation and hygiene facilities for 46,000 Rohingya refugees
- 8,500 menstrual hygiene kits for Rohingya women and adolescent girls
- Protection support to 1,500 children and adolescents from the refugee camps and host communities
Sources: THX News & The UK Government.
