The United States has announced nearly $199 million in new assistance for Rohingya refugees and the communities hosting them in Bangladesh and the surrounding region. This announcement was made by Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya during the High-Level UNGA Side Event on the Rohingya Crisis.
The funding package includes nearly $70 million from the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and over $129 million from USAID. Of this amount, $78 million comes from the Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation to aid USAID in purchasing, shipping, and distributing food from American farmers to Rohingya refugees and host community members in Bangladesh.
"This U.S. assistance will save lives and help protect, shelter, and feed those forced to flee violence and persecution," said Zeya. The funds will also support disaster preparedness, protection for refugees and host communities, access to education and skills training, and prepare refugees for potential return home when conditions permit.
Since August 2017, the U.S. government has provided more than $2.5 billion for the regional Rohingya response. Over $2.1 billion of this amount has been directed towards efforts in Bangladesh alone, with nearly $1.3 billion contributed through PRM.
"The United States remains committed to delivering assistance to crisis-affected communities in Bangladesh and the region," Zeya added while urging other donors to continue their support.
For additional information regarding this announcement, inquiries can be directed to PRM-Press@State.gov.
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