EU has released €43 million for humanitarian needs in Myanmar and those of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh
The European Union (E.U.) has released over € 43 million to address the humanitarian needs of people in Myanmar, as well as those of Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh.
In Myanmar, the E.U. will provide over € 18 million to respond to the dramatic escalation in needs following the military takeover of 2021. The funding will allow humanitarian partners to ensure the provision of life-saving support such as protection, food, shelter, healthcare and education.
The E.U. will also continue to support the efforts of Bangladesh in responding to the Rohingya refugee crisis by providing over € 23 million, part of which will also contribute to implement disaster preparedness programmes in the country. A further dedicated allocation of € 2 million will help address the needs of Rohingya and other refugees in neighbouring countries, such as Indonesia and Malaysia.
Speaking on the occasion, the Commissioner for Crisis Management – Janez Lenarčič said, “Myanmar has seen a dramatic increase in humanitarian needs since the military takeover. Meanwhile the situation of Rohingya refugees requires continued life-saving assistance in Bangladesh and neighbouring countries. The EU reaffirms its commitment to stand by their side and support refugees and their host communities, as well as people affected by conflict and natural hazards in the region.”
According to the United Nations (U.N.), in Myanmar, 17.6 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2023, about 1/3rd of the country’s population. This is also a 17-fold increase since the military takeover at the beginning of 2021 when around 1 million people required humanitarian assistance.
The coup resulted in large-scale acts of civil unrest and armed opposition, with over 2,600 people killed by the military at the end of 2022 and tens of thousands arrested. Basic social services remain disrupted, and the country is suffering shortages of essential goods such as medical supplies and equipment. Coronavirus (COVID-19), coupled with civil unrest and fighting, has pushed the already fragile healthcare system to the brink of collapse.
Myanmar will use the E.U. funding to address the immediate needs of the most vulnerable people in Myanmar, including displaced and conflict-affected communities. The funding will help provide food, nutrition, clean water and sanitation, shelter and emergency preparedness/response, healthcare, education, as well as protection services, including mine education to those affected by conflict. The E.U. does not channel any humanitarian funding through the Government. The E.U. humanitarian aid is provided directly through humanitarian organisations and partners.
In Bangladesh, there are around 30,000 Rohingya refugees. Their situation remains precarious and is expected to deteriorate this year due to the protracted nature of the humanitarian crisis and decreasing funding. The Rohingya still have very limited access to education and means to earn an income. They remain vulnerable to exploitation and serious protection risks. Living in refugee camps, they depend entirely on humanitarian aid. Due to its geographical location, Bangladesh is prone to seasonal flooding, landslides and cyclones. This makes it one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change.
The E.U. funds will be used to support the efforts to reduce the impact of natural hazards in highly affected parts of Bangladesh. It will also help provide humanitarian support including food assistance, nutrition, clean water, sanitation, healthcare services, education, shelter, camp management and increased protection for the most vulnerable groups.
