European Union (EU) commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management Christos Stylianides arrives in the capital on a three-day visit to meet with Rohingyas, who had to take shelter in Cox’s Bazar to escape atrocities of the Myanmar security forces in Rakhine state. Apart from meeting the persecuted Rohingyas, he will also visit EU aid projects in the affected areas, according to sources concerned. More than 6 lakh Rohingyas have crossed into Bangladesh since August 25 to join about 4.5 lakh refugees from Myanmar already living in the country for a long time. While in Bangladesh, the EU commissioner will discuss the issue with the Bangladeshi leadership, the sources said, adding that the powerful bloc of 28 countries is currently leading the condemnations of international community for the atrocities in Rakhine and efforts to hold accountable those responsible.  In the pledging conference in Geneva on October 23, the EU pledged additional €30 million for the Rohingya crisis. This is on the top of over €21 million in overall EU assistance already allocated to Rohingyas and host communities in both Bangladesh and Myanmar, bringing the total EU support for this year to over €51 million.

"Today, we stand united for the right cause. The cause of stateless people who have suffered for too long: the Rohingya. The Rohingya deserve nothing less than every other human being in the world. They deserve a future. We have a moral duty to give these people hope. Our humanitarian support will work to provide essentials like water, sanitation, food, healthcare, protection, and education", commissioner Stylianides told the conference.