EU steps up humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh and Myanmar
As more and more refugees arrive in Bangladesh from Myanmar, the European Commission announces additional humanitarian aid of €3 million to address the most pressing needs of Rohingya civilians. The funding comes on top of the €12 million announced in May 2017 when Commissioner Stylianides visited Rakhine State in Myanmar.
"The European Union is providing further emergency humanitarian aid as the situation continues to be critical. This additional funding will help provide emergency shelter, water, food and health assistance for newly arrived refugees in Bangladesh and people in need in Myanmar, as soon as humanitarian access to the latter is restored. The EU continues to call for full humanitarian access and the respect for international human rights law in Myanmar. The immediate restoration of humanitarian assistance in northern Rakhine State is needed in order to address what is already a precarious humanitarian situation, and to avoid an escalation of the crisis. I thank the government and people of Bangladesh for their hospitality in sheltering many refugees. The European Union remains committed to support those who are forced to flee their homes during these difficult times", said the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides.
As with all EU humanitarian aid this new funding will be channelled impartially by international NGOs, the United Nations or the Red Cross to the affected populations. The EU has been providing humanitarian support in Myanmar and Bangladesh for many years. Since 1994, the European Commission has provided €232 million in humanitarian aid to Myanmar. Total EU humanitarian aid to Bangladesh since 2007 amounts to €153.6 million.
For More Information
Statement of Commissioner Christos Stylianides on the humanitarian situation in Myanmar (05/09/2017)
Commissioner Christos Stylianides visit to Myanmar
IP/17/3201
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