The government will start relocating Rohingyas to Bhashanhar by April 15, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman said yesterday. "Some 23,000 Rohingya families, approximately around one lakh people, will be shifted there," Enamur said while talking to reporters after holding a meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Robert Miller at the secretariat in the afternoon.

Houses are being built there with water and electricity facilities for Rohingya people in addition to ensuring proper sanitation, he said adding that centres for shelter will also be set up. About the support received from the United States, Dr Enamur said the US contributed $45.5 million to the UN World Food Program in support of the Rohingya crisis.

This is in addition to the $60 million announced at the 2019 UN Joint Response Plan (JRP) launch in Geneva on February 15.

Diplomatic Correspondent adds:

The United States (US) yesterday announced fresh funds of USD 45.5 million to the UN World Food Programme to tackle the  Rohingya refugee crisis.   

“The new US contribution will provide life-saving food assistance to Rohingya refugees to augment existing humanitarian interventions, including vouchers, so that refugees can buy food in local markets, monsoon and cyclone preparedness to protect lives and nutritional support to vulnerable children, pregnant and lactating women,” a press release of the US embassy in Bangladesh said.

This is in addition to the USD 60 million announced at the 2019 UN Joint Response Plan (JRP) launch in Geneva on February 15.  This brings the total US contribution to the 2019 JRP to USD 105 million. The US is the leading contributor of humanitarian assistance to tackle the Rohingya refugee crisis. It has provided nearly USD 500 million since the outbreak of violence in August 2017.  

Approximately USD 450 million has been dedicated to programmes in Bangladesh for Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi host communities.

This additional funding complements the ongoing US humanitarian assistance reaching

more than one million refugees in Bangladesh, Bangladeshi host communities and people displaced within Myanmar and the region to provide protection, emergency shelter, food, nutrition, water, sanitation, healthcare, psychosocial support and learning opportunities.

US funding targets Bangladeshi communities impacted by this crisis. In Cox’s Bazar, US assistance helps improve the lives of Bangladeshis in these communities through different programmes, expanding access to healthcare,  better economic and education opportunities.

US assistance also supports the efforts of humanitarian organisations and the government to improve preparedness, infrastructure and shelter for monsoon and cyclone seasons. “The US is committed to helping those affected by this crisis. We are deeply appreciative of the generosity of the government and the people of Bangladesh for opening their border and hearts to the Rohingya community that has suffered greatly.  We call on all nations with the means to contribute to this global humanitarian response,” the press release mentioned.