Arakan News Agency
The European Union has announced a new humanitarian funding package worth €29 million to respond to the escalating crisis in Myanmar and to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and neighbouring countries, with a strong focus on food security, sustainability, and self-reliance.
According to an EU statement, around €15 million of the funding will be directed toward conflict-affected communities inside Myanmar, where ongoing fighting continues to force large numbers of people to flee their homes, both internally and across borders, particularly toward Bangladesh.
The EU noted that the humanitarian situation has deteriorated further following a powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar earlier this year, severely disrupting essential services, including healthcare, water and sanitation systems, and education, while significantly increasing levels of hunger and food insecurity.
The largest share of the humanitarian assistance—up to €12 million—will prioritize food and nutrition support for populations inside Myanmar who are at growing risk of famine due to prolonged conflict and economic collapse.
In Bangladesh, the EU has allocated €2 million to strengthen existing assistance for Rohingya refugees, with an emphasis on food and nutrition programs. An additional €1 million will be used to support Myanmar nationals and Rohingya refugees living in other neighbouring countries under highly vulnerable conditions.
This latest funding comes on top of nearly €50 million previously provided by the EU for the Myanmar crisis and its regional impact, including emergency aid following the March earthquake. It also adds to more than €32 million already allocated this year for humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh.
In parallel, the EU has earmarked an additional €14 million in development funding aimed at improving sustainability and self-reliance in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. These funds will support skills training and livelihood development programs to reduce long-term dependency on aid.
The humanitarian situation in the camps continues to worsen, with more than 136,000 new Rohingya refugees arriving in Cox’s Bazar since January 2024 after fleeing renewed violence in Myanmar.
The EU warned that deteriorating living conditions, shrinking aid resources, and limited opportunities in the camps are pushing more refugees to undertake dangerous sea journeys in search of safety and stability elsewhere, underscoring the urgent need for sustained international support.
