The EU has provided an additional 12.5 million Euros to address the humanitarian needs of people in Myanmar, as well as those of Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh and the broader region.

The latest financial assistance is aimed to mitigate severe food insecurity in refugee camps due to a massive funding gap that resulted in a reduction of food rations distributed to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

The situation is expected to become untenable by the autumn if no additional funding is mobilised by the international community.

An escalation of the conflict and the consequences of Cyclone Mocha, that swept through Myanmar in May, have worsened the humanitarian situation in Myanmar.

The new EU funding also aims to respond to these pressing needs with an allocation of 7 million Euros to ensure critical food assistance in Bangladesh; 4.5 million Euros to provide food and health assistance in Myanmar and mitigate the consequences of the current funding gap; and 1 million Euros to respond to the increasing protection needs of displaced people and refugees throughout the region, including in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and India.

Regarding this financial aid, Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, said, “Imagine having to struggle to access food or basic health care. We cannot fathom the immeasurable suffering of vulnerable people in need in Bangladesh and Myanmar, but we can strengthen our humanitarian support to make sure their lifeline will continue. This new allocation will help respond to their most urgent needs and mitigate the consequences of the current funding gap.”

In Myanmar, following the coup in February 2021, the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has risen from 1 million to over 18 million.

Almost 90,000 people have fled Myanmar for neighbouring countries since the coup. Ongoing conflict and human rights abuse keep driving up the number of refugees and internally displaced people.

The EU has been providing humanitarian aid to people in Myanmar since 1994, and in Bangladesh since 2002.

In February 2023, the EU released over €43 million to address the humanitarian needs of people in Myanmar, as well as those of Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh and across the region.

Following cyclone Mocha’s impact in Myanmar and Bangladesh, the Commission released €2.5 million in emergency humanitarian aid and supported the Myanmar Red Cross Society in delivering immediate assistance through the distribution of emergency shelter items, primary healthcare assistance, cash grants and hygiene kits.