The US has announced to provide nearly $155 million in new humanitarian assistance, much of which will go toward the 2021 Bangladesh Joint Response Plan (JRP).
With this new funding, the US total humanitarian assistance for this response reaches more than $1.3 billion since 2017, including more than $1.1 billion for programs inside Bangladesh, according to US statement during the launching of JRP in Geneva on Wednesday.
“Our assistance will help meet the immediate needs of the nearly 900,000 refugees (Rohingyas) in Bangladesh who fled from horrific violence in Burma’s (Mynamar’s) Rakhine State, including women and children,” US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken said in a separate statement.
This funding also provides support for more than 472,000 Bangladeshi host community members impacted by this displacement.
“With this new funding, our total humanitarian aid for those affected by the crisis in Burma, Bangladesh, and elsewhere in the region since the brutal violence by the Burmese military in August 2017 is more than $1.3 billion, including more than $1.1 billion for programs inside Bangladesh,” Blinken added.
The US recognizes the cost and responsibility that the response has placed on host countries, especially Bangladesh.
“We encourage the broader international community to do more and urge other countries and stakeholders to contribute as well,” the US secretary of state said.
In the aftermath of the February 1 military coup and the brutal military crackdown in Myanmar, he said, the US remains committed to addressing the Rohingya crisis recognizing that the coup leaders are many of the same individuals responsible for previous human rights abuses, including atrocities against the Rohingyas.
“We continue to work with international partners to support justice and accountability for all those responsible for the coup and human rights abuses,” he said.
Blinken said: “The US is committed to promoting peace, security, and respect for the human rights and human dignity of all people in Burma, including Rohingyas.
The US statement said, on Bhasan Char, the US welcomes the dialogue between the UN and Bangladesh government and encourages continued close consultations.
South Korea also provides $4mn to support 2021 JRP
South Korea has decided to provide more $4 million this year to international agencies having presence in Bangladesh with a view to support the Rohingya refugees and their host communities.
This year's $4 million contribution has been allocated to the UNHCR, Unicef, WFP, IOM and IFRC.
An amount of $1 million had already been disbursed to IOM to assist the emergency response to the massive fire in the Cox's Bazar refugee camp in March, said the South Korean Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Supporting the host community, addressing gender-based violence, supporting children and girls, and responding to emergencies and disaster relief are among the priority areas for Korea in its support for the Rohingya refugees and the host community.
In addition to the financial contributions, the Republic of Korea, through KOICA, has also implemented a number of humanitarian projects to support the Rohingya refugees and host communities in partnership with other international organizations and international NGOs.
As a trusted partner of Bangladesh, the Korean Government has been closely working with the international community to resolve the Rohingya refugee crisis since the outbreak in 2017.
Korea has provided the international community with around $20 million between 2017 and 2021 for Rohingya refugee-related activities in Bangladesh.
The Republic of Korea said they will continue to work closely with the international community as well as the Bangladeshi Government to address the humanitarian crisis and search for durable solutions focused on the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingya refugees to their homes in Myanmar.