EU allocates 15 mn euro additional aid for Rohingya

BRUSSELS, Oct 17 (KUNA) -- The European Commission announced Wednesday an additional 15 million euro (USD 17 million) in humanitarian aid to assist the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
The support will deliver on the medium-term development needs of the refugees and their host communities in the Cox's Bazar region of Bangladesh, said the EU's executive body in a press release.
EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica commented that "over half of the Rohingya refugees are under 18 years of age, and the conflict has left many women having to look after their families alone. So the priority will of this 15 million euro support package will be on the needs of children, young people, female-headed households and families." The press release noted that the EU has been providing substantial political, development and humanitarian support in response to the Rohingya refugee crisis from the outset. It has so far made available 65 million euro (USD 75 million) in humanitarian assistance. (end) nk.mt