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 CommissionerStylianides visited Rakhine State in Myanmar.

In a statement, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides said:

 “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.”

Original source: European Commission.
Posted on 12 September 2017