UK announces more £12m aid for Rohingyas

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DHAKA, Nov 27, 2017 (BSS) – The United Kingdom (UK) has announced further aid of £12 million for the Rohingya people, who took shelter in Bangladesh, and urged other countries to come forward with more aid, saying that global funding for the Myanmar displaced citizens would start to dry up in 100 days.

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt announced the aid today during her visit to Cox’s Bazar and warned that global funding would start to dry up in 100 days, according to a press release of British High Commission Dhaka issued here.

Announcing the aid, Mordaunt pledged that the UK would continue to stand by the Rohingya people and Bangladesh, the release said.

“The persistent persecution of the Rohingya people must stop. It is horrifying that hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children have had their homes burnt to the ground and parents have been forced to helplessly watch as their children die from hunger,” Mordaunt said.

“This looks like ethnic cleansing. The Burmese military must end this inhumane violence and guarantee unrestricted humanitarian access so aid can reach those in need in Burma. Any return of families to their homes must be safe, voluntary and dignified,” she added.

Saying global funding to support the Rohingya people will only meet urgent needs for the next 100 days, International Development secretary said, “We cannot turn our backs on those trapped in crisis”.

Mordaunt praised the government of Bangladesh and the local communities for their continued generosity in helping the Rohingya people and urged other countries to follow the UK’s lead by promising longer-term support to avert disaster.

“Other countries must follow our lead and do even more to help children overcome the trauma of war, reunite them with their families and give a future to the next generation,” she said.

According to the release today’s announcement of £12 million for the Rohingya crisis is providing urgently needed food now and ensuring more lives are not put at risk . This brings the UK’s total support to £59 million since 25 August 2017.

During the visit, the International Development secretary met some of the 620,000 Rohingyas who have been tragically driven out from their homes in Burma and forced to make the treacherous journey to Bangladesh, relying on aid to survive, the release said.

To mark the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women and the 16 days of activism, the International Development secretary is shining a spotlight on the horrifying prevalence of sexual and gender based violence that Rohingya women and girls have suffered, it said.

During her visit to Bangladesh, Mordaunt heard harrowing stories of brutal abuse and met UK experts delivering life-saving treatment including medical, counselling and psychosocial support to female survivors, the release said.