UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic yesterday said the UN refugee agency is "deeply concerned" about the humanitarian impact of continuing violence in Myanmar and the potential for both further internal displacement and the outflow of refugees. "As part of inter-agency efforts, UNHCR stands ready to support the humanitarian response in the affected areas in Myanmar," said the UNHCR spokesperson at a press briefing in Geneva.

The UNHCR also called on the Bangladesh authorities to continue to allow people fleeing violence in Myanmar to seek safety in Bangladesh. UNHCR has also offered its support to the government of Bangladesh to assess and respond to the needs of people who have arrived seeking safety from violence in Myanmar.

UNHCR said it is aware of reports of escalating violence and a deteriorating security situation in southern Chin State and Rakhine State. This has reportedly led to internal displacement and a number of new arrivals from Myanmar seeking safety in the Bandarban border region of Bangladesh, said the spokesperson.

The UNHCR said it is grateful to the government of Bangladesh for its generosity and the leadership it has shown in receiving more than 720,000 Rohingyas from Myanmar since August 2017.