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Morningsun Online //

The United States announced nearly $199 million in new aid to Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar and regional host communities, including Bangladesh. Its amount in Bangladeshi currency is around 2 thousand 189 crores (dollar exchange rate is 110 taka).

US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya made the announcement at a high-level side meeting on the Rohingya crisis during the UN General Assembly session on Tuesday (September 24). The US State Department has informed this information in a press release.

According to the notification, the US State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) will provide about seven million dollars of the announced new funds. The remaining $12.9 million will come from USAID, of which $7.8 million will be spent on providing food to the Rohingya. This food assistance program will be implemented by purchasing, transporting and distributing food produced by US farmers.

The United States expects this assistance to play an important role in ensuring the survival, safety, shelter and food supply of the Rohingya. Besides, these funds will also be used to increase preparedness for natural disasters, educational opportunities and skills training.

In addition, this assistance will also be important to prepare the Rohingyas for their return to their home countries in the future.

Since August 2017, the United States has provided more than $2.5 billion in aid to deal with the Rohingya crisis. Of this, $210 million was spent on Rohingyas living in Bangladesh.

The United States has pledged to continue such assistance to support the Rohingya community in crisis. They called on other donor countries to continue providing similar assistance.