EU Allocates €76 Million in Humanitarian Aid for Rohingya Refugees, Crisis-Affected Communities

The European Union (EU) has announced a €76 million humanitarian aid package to address the urgent needs of people affected by crises in South and Southeast Asia, the European Commission website reported. Of this funding, €32.3 million is designated for over 1 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, primarily located in Cox’s Bazar. This support will provide food assistance, maintain shelters, and ensure access to essential services like healthcare, emergency education, and clean water.

An additional €33 million is allocated to assist those impacted by ongoing conflict in Myanmar, focusing on food security, shelter for the displaced, clean water, and healthcare services. The funding will also include mine risk education and disaster preparedness initiatives, as Myanmar is highly susceptible to natural disasters.

Recognizing the regional implications of the crisis, the EU is providing €3.5 million in life-saving aid to refugees and host communities in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Moreover, €6 million will support disaster preparedness and address the ongoing conflict in the Mindanao region of the Philippines, with an additional €1.3 million for disaster preparedness across Southeast Asia.

Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, emphasized the EU’s commitment to supporting Rohingya refugees and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, which has worsened since the military takeover in 2021. With 20 million people in need of assistance in Myanmar, the EU’s funding aims to deliver life-saving aid to the most vulnerable populations in the region.