US calls for sustained support for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh
The United States is the single largest donor to the ongoing refugee crisis in Bangladesh, committing $2.4 billion since August 2017, of which nearly $2 billion has been provided for Rohingyas and host communities.
Ambassador Jeffrey Prescott, the US representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, has called on the international community to continue its support to the Rohingya refugees and their Bangladeshi host communities.
He made the call after a week-long mission in Bangladesh, visiting projects of the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), reads a press release.
The ambassador, along with a team of international and local journalists, witnessed the work of the three agencies on the ground, including WFP's food assistance to the nearly one million Rohingya people.
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Prescott said many of the programmes they visited are designed not just to alleviate immediate hardships but also to extend impact beyond the camps, playing a critical role in building the resilience of host communities.
"The US is fully committed to supporting our partners on the ground, and we call on others to also step up and join us," said Prescott.
Arnoud Hameleers, IFAD country director, said, "We are delighted that Ambassador Prescott had the chance to meet the Bangladeshi rural women and men and hear from them how our investment and support have helped them build better lives and livelihoods."
Dr Jiaoqun Shi, FAO representative, said they eagerly anticipate continued collaboration with USAID and our sister UN agencies to further expand our interventions in food and agriculture in Bangladesh.
Dom Scalpelli, WFP country director, said that while the situation remains precarious in the camps, they are fortunate to have the steadfast support of the US and the rest of the international community.
"Starting in June, we will increase the ration again partially, from $10 to $11. We thank Ambassador Prescott for choosing Bangladesh for his first field mission and the media for shedding light on the urgent needs and resilience of the Rohingya and their host communities," said Scalpelli.
The US is the single largest donor to the ongoing refugee crisis in Bangladesh, committing $2.4 billion since August 2017, of which nearly $2 billion has been provided for Rohingyas and host communities.
