Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides has started a two-day visit to Bangladesh, to assess the situation on the ground and visit EU aid projects that are addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis.
Published : 31 Oct 2017, 11:16 PM
His visit comes a week after the EU and its Member States pledged more than 50 percent of the $344 million total funding raised at the international Conference on the Rohingya Refugee Crisis held in Geneva.
"Here in Bangladesh the scale of this emergency is painfully clear to see; this is the fastest-growing refugee crisis in the world,” a statement quoted him saying.
“The EU has decisively stepped up its aid to Rohingya communities. The Rohingya people are not alone in these difficult times.”
He commended and supported the “generous approach” of the Bangladeshi authorities.
“Beyond aid, it is crucial that every refugee is registered properly and that Myanmar takes all necessary steps to allow them a voluntary and dignified return in secure conditions,” he said.
Commissioner Stylianides Tuesday visited the Kutupalong camp in the Cox's Bazar area, where an EU funded project is helping over 100,000 people, mostly vulnerable children and women, gain access to essential services.
The Commissioner will also hold meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Wednesday before leaving Dhaka.
The visit follows that of the Commissioner to Myanmar in May earlier this year.