Denmark has announced that it is going to provide an additional US$ 4.6 million aid to meet the urgent food needs of Rohingya refugees and host communities.
Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Ulla Tørnæs, who is currently visiting Bangladesh, announced this after concluding a joint visit to the refugee camps in Kutupalong-Balukhali in Cox’s Bazar.
“It has been one year since I last visited these camps. I am pleased to see positive changes”, the Danish Minister said at a press briefing in the capital city on Wednesday morning.
“I am impressed with the results of the combined efforts of the international community and the Government of Bangladesh”, Tørnæs said, adding “Denmark remains committed to stand by Bangladesh”.
“I am grateful for the people of Bangladesh for all that has been done to offer sanctuary to those who fled Myanmar”, said United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director David Beasley.
“This crisis must not be forgotten”, said Beasley, who has accompanied the Danish Minister to the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.
“The international community needs to work with Bangladesh to give the Rohingya children not just hope for a better future, but also the tools to thrive, including food, health and education”, he added.
Cox’s Bazar has been one of WFP’s largest Asia operations since August 2017 when more than 0.7 million Rohingya refugees began fleeing repression and violence in the Myanmar's Rakhaine state.
The Danish government was one of the first donors to support WFP in meeting the urgent humanitarian needs of the Rohingya refugees.
“All in all, we have provided around US$ 60 million to address the crisis through WFP and other international NGOs”, said Tørnæs.
“We are spending between US$ 20 million to 24 million per month to address the crisis”, The WFP Executive Director said, adding “In terms of pipeline, we are in a decent shape for the next couple of months”.
