US working with Myanmar for return of Rohingya

Says Bernicat during visit to Rohingya camps

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat yesterday said the US government has initiated talks with Myanmar to resolve the crisis over the Rohingya issue and for repatriation of the refugees.

“US is working with Myanmar for the return the Rohingyas who fled to Bangladesh seeking refuge,” she said after visiting Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar. “However, it is a long process,” she added.

She said the US has full support to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's five-point demand to end the crisis. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed a five-point proposal at the United Nations for a permanent solution to the crisis. Bernicat said they will urge the Myanmar government to implement the Annan Commission’s report.

Bernicat also visited the Balukhali Rohinya camp. During her visit at the Rohingya refugee camps, she visited the activities of International Aid Agencies at the camps. At that time, high officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials of IOM, official of different aid agencies and NGOs, officials of local administration were present.   

She said that the US, through its US agency for International Development (USAID) has given an additional $6 million to World Food Programme (WFP) to face the Rohingya crisis. This found will be added with the $1 million which was given to WFP at the beginning f the year. This found is food and humanitarian assistance, she said.

UNB adds:  The additional $6 million from the USAID will support food distributions as well as the needed logistics to provide humanitarian assistance, said the US Embassy in Dhaka yesterday. The recent funding to WFP complements assistance announced by the United States on September 20, which included $28 million in assistance to Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh. This new funding brings U.S. humanitarian assistance to Rohingya in the region to approximately $101 million in Fiscal Year 2017.

In 2017, the U.S. Government, through USAID, has provided over $212 million in development assistance to Bangladesh.

In Cox’s Bazar, USAID helps improve the lives of Bangladeshis, including those in communities hosting refugees, through programs that expand economic opportunity, advance health and education, and ensure human rights and practices.

US working with Myanmar for return of Rohingya

Says Bernicat during visit to Rohingya camps

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat yesterday said the US government has initiated talks with Myanmar to resolve the crisis over the Rohingya issue and for repatriation of the refugees. US is working with Myanmar for the return the Rohingyas who fled to Bangladesh seeking refuge, she said after visiting Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp in Coxs Bazar. However, it is a long process, she added. She said the US has full support to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas five-point demand to end the crisis. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed a five-point proposal at the United Nations for a permanent solution to the crisis. Bernicat said they will urge the Myanmar government to implement the Annan Commissions report. Bernicat also visited the Balukhali Rohinya camp. During her visit at the Rohingya refugee camps, she visited the activities of International Aid Agencies at the camps. At that time, high officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials of IOM, official of different aid agencies and NGOs, officials of local administration were present. She said that the US, through its US agency for International Development (USAID) has given an additional $6 million to World Food Programme (WFP) to face the Rohingya crisis. This found will be added with the $1 million which was given to WFP at the beginning f the year. This found is food and humanitarian assistance, she said. UNB adds: The additional $6 million from the USAID will support food distributions as well as the needed logistics to provide humanitarian assistance, said the US Embassy in Dhaka yesterday. The recent funding to WFP complements assistance announced by the United States on September 20, which included $28 million in assistance to Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh. This new funding brings U.S. humanitarian assistance to Rohingya in the region to approximately $101 million in Fiscal Year 2017. In 2017, the U.S. Government, through USAID, has provided over $212 million in development assistance to Bangladesh. In Coxs Bazar, USAID helps improve the lives of Bangladeshis, including those in communities hosting refugees, through programs that expand economic opportunity, advance health and education, and ensure human rights and practices.