THE Scottish Government has pledged to give £120,000 to help those suffering through the Rohingya refugee crisis.
Hundreds of thousands of Muslim Rohingya civilians have been forced to flee towards Bangladesh after being subjected to a campaign of violence.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon met heads of Muslim organisations from Scotland yesterday to discuss the situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine province.
She said: “The Scottish Government has made clear that we support the UN Secretary General’s call for effective action that addresses the root causes of the situation and brings an end to violence. We also stand ready to support the UK Government in providing an appropriate response to this situation.
“Given the immediate humanitarian crisis that Rohingya Muslims are facing, and following a recommendation from the expert panel that oversees Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund, I am also today announcing that up to £120,000 will be made available for the emergency response for the Rohingya refugee crisis.”
About 421,000 people have fled from Myanmar to neighbouring Bangladesh in less than a month amid a security crackdown allegedly targeting the Rohingya minority, the UN’s migration agency said.
An estimated 20,000 people are flowing across Myanmar’s border into Bangladesh every day, said Joel Millman, spokesman for the International Organisation for Migration.
Oxfam is among organisations on the ground providing essential items and clean drinking water.
Angus Nelson, head of fundraising at Oxfam Scotland, said: “It’s very welcome news that the Scottish Government is committing money to help alleviate the escalating humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh.
“Hundreds of thousands of people face a desperate situation, unable to access clean drinking water and food. They are homeless and hungry following a long and treacherous journey across the border.
“Many are now sleeping under open skies, by roadsides and in forests, with no protection.
LATEST FROM MYANMAR: PAGE 20
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