UK and Bangladesh strengthen aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

UK and Bangladesh join together as the UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, has pledged an additional £4.5 million in humanitarian assistance for Rohingya people living in Bangladesh

This support is a testament to the UK and Bangladesh’s ongoing commitment to aid the Rohingya community.

UK and Bangladesh: Joint initiative for Rohingya refugees

At a regional UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) conference focusing on the Rohingya crisis, Anne-Marie Trevelyan unveiled the £4.5 million aid package.

She joined forces with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr A K Abdul Momen, and UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, in a united effort to address the plight of Rohingya refugees.

Minister Trevelyan emphasised the UK’s commitment to finding a lasting resolution to the Rohingya crisis.

This commitment includes facilitating Rohingya’s safe, voluntary, and dignified return to Myanmar when the conditions permit. Until such a return becomes feasible, the UK delivers sustained humanitarian assistance.

As part of this, they are allocating £4.5 million to bolster protection services, healthcare, and clean energy provisions for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

A multifaceted aid package

• The aid package of £4.5 million comprises several components:
  Healthcare and Clean Energy: £2.1 million through the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) will support healthcare and clean energy for Rohingya refugees and their host communities.
• Protection and Support: A total of £2 million will be distributed through various non-governmental organizations, including the Norwegian Refugee Council, Danish Refugee Council, International Rescue Committee, and Humanity and Inclusion, to bolster the protection of refugees and host communities.
• Combatting Gender-Based Violence: An allocation of £450,000 through the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) aims to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and provide sexual and reproductive health services.

Continued support for Rohingya refugees

Since 2017, the UK has contributed £370 million to support Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh. Additionally, nearly £30 million has been allocated to aid Rohingya and other Muslim minorities in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

This support encompasses vital provisions such as food, water, sanitation, healthcare, and protection services, focusing on the well-being of women and girls in the refugee camps.

A pledge to peace and stability in Bangladesh

The UK remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. It stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar, calling for an end to violence, the protection of civilians, and unhindered humanitarian access for those in need.

This sustained support for the Rohingya people underscores the UK’s unwavering dedication to the Indo-Pacific, aligning with the Prime Minister’s aim to boost economic growth, as articulated in the Integrated Review Refresh published in March 2023. It showcases the enduring collaboration between the UK and Bangladesh to alleviate the suffering of the Rohingya community.