Canada unveils Rohingya strategy, dedicates $300 million for three years

Canada will provide US$300 million over three years as its prime minister has unveiled a strategy to address the Rohingya crisis.

The funding will be focused on the region’s humanitarian, development, and stabilisation needs in a “coordinated and timely way”.

Canada was one of the first countries to respond to the crisis, and remains one of the top humanitarian donors.

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday this strategy builds on “our current efforts, and represents our commitment to do more while continuing to work closely with the international community and the United Nations on a path forward”.

This “comprehensive” strategy is based on recommendations highlighted in the final report from the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to Myanmar, Bob Rae, and will address four areas of action.

1. The humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh and Myanmar

2. The political situation in Myanmar

3. The question of accountability and impunity

4. Effective coordination and cooperation

“Canada will not stand idle while hundreds of thousands of people – Rohingya communities and other minorities – suffer gross human rights violations. We share a global responsibility to respond to this crisis,” Trudeau said.

“We commend others who have acted in a compassionate and generous way, especially the Government of Bangladesh and host communities in the region who continue to provide safe refuge to their neighbours in need.

“We will continue to step up to protect human rights, and promote inclusion, respect for diversity, and security for all, while working towards sustainable peace and true reconciliation in Myanmar.”

Canada said the grave humanitarian and security crisis in Myanmar is a global tragedy, which has led more than 717,000 Rohingya to flee their homes in Rakhine State and seek refuge in Bangladesh.

The strategy is to step up Canada’s response and meet the needs of those displaced and most vulnerable.

Guided by the Feminist International Assistance Policy, the strategy places a central emphasis on the needs of women and girls, and puts forward concrete and timely initiatives to promote human rights, gender equality, human dignity, and peace and security in the region.

Canada will lead on several initiatives, including those to improve living conditions of Rohingya refugees in camps and settlements.

“We will support efforts to bring perpetrators of gross human rights violations to account, and to achieve a political solution to the plight of the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities in Myanmar,” the prime minister said.

“We will also help coordinate international efforts to address the crisis.”