Following their recent visits to Cox’s Bazar, the United States and Norway have stepped forward with a joint assistance fund exceeding $8.2 million to bolster IOM’s appeal under the 2024 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis.
In a significant display of solidarity, the United States pledged $7.6 million, while Norway announced a contribution of $600,535 (NOK 6.5 million). Additionally, Japan has already contributed $2.6 million, as confirmed by an official statement jointly issued by the governments of Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States.
Notably, Sweden and Switzerland have also expressed political support for addressing the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis.
The statement emphasized the critical need for sustained international support to safeguard the lives of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, especially as the crisis enters its seventh year amidst dwindling funding from the global community.
With the funding gap in the 2023 Joint Response Plan reaching $301 million, adjustments in assistance packages have become inevitable, leading to heightened food insecurity and vulnerability among Rohingya refugees.
The statement underscored the imminent challenges posed by the approaching fire and monsoon seasons, particularly for nearly half a million Rohingya refugees living in precarious conditions.
Furthermore, inadequate funding threatens the accessibility of essential services for over 150,000 individuals, exacerbating the already dire situation. To address these pressing issues, the international community must rally behind the Joint Response Plan 2024, aiming to raise $852.4 million to support 1.35 million people, including Rohingya refugees and vulnerable Bangladeshis.
In conclusion, the statement reiterated the commitment to supporting Bangladesh and those in need, urging other governments and partners to join in providing essential funding and assistance to mitigate the crisis’s impact and address its root causes. Amidst these efforts, it emphasized the enduring significance of not forgetting the plight of the Rohingya people.
