LOC19:15
16:15 GMT
BRUSSELS, Dec 16 (KUNA) -- The European Union on Tuesday announced the allocation of an additional 29 million euros to support the response to the worsening humanitarian crises in Myanmar and the situation of Rohingya refugees.
Of the total amount, 15 million euros has been earmarked as humanitarian aid for communities affected by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, alongside 14 million euros in development assistance to support Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries.
In a press release, the EU explained that the new funding comes amid an escalation of the conflict in Myanmar, which has led to the displacement of growing numbers of people inside the country, as well as an increase in cross-border displacement toward Bangladesh and other neighbouring states.
The EU added that the humanitarian situation has been further aggravated by the earthquake that struck Myanmar earlier this year, causing the collapse of basic services, including healthcare, water supply, sanitation and education, in addition to a sharp rise in food insecurity.
The EU noted that the largest share of the humanitarian assistance, amounting to around 12 million euros, will be directed to support communities affected by the conflict inside Myanmar, with particular priority given to food and nutrition assistance in light of the alarming number of people at risk of famine.
In Bangladesh, the EU will allocate 2 million euros to reinforce its existing assistance to Rohingya refugees, with a focus also on food and nutrition programmes.
An additional 1 million euros will be allocated to support refugees from Myanmar and Rohingya refugees displaced to other neighbouring countries, where they live in vulnerable humanitarian conditions.
The assistance comes in addition to nearly 50 million euros previously provided by the EU in humanitarian aid to respond to the Myanmar crisis and its regional repercussions, including emergency funding to address the impact of the earthquake that struck the country at the end of last March.
Regarding development assistance, the EU said that 14 million euros will be directed toward supporting sustainability and enhancing self-reliance in the Rohingya camps in the Cox's Bazar area of Bangladesh, including programmes for skills development and livelihoods.
The statement noted that increasing numbers of people are fleeing across the border into Bangladesh, with the Cox's Bazar camps having received more than 136,000 new Rohingya refugees since January 2024.
It warned that deteriorating conditions in the camps are pushing more refugees to risk dangerous sea journeys in search of safety in other countries. (end)
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