Canada undertakes fresh strategy to respond to Rohingya crisis

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has unveiled his country’s strategy to step up its response and meet the need of most vulnerable and displaced Rohingyas.

Canada will dedicate significant funding -- $300 million over three years -- to address the region’s humanitarian, development, and stabilisation needs in a coordinated and timely way, according to a press release issued by its high commission in Dhaka on Thursday.

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, Canadian government says.

This comprehensive strategy is based on recommendations highlighted in the final report from the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to Myanmar Bob Rae, it said.

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, the release added.

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

“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. We will also help coordinate international efforts to address the crisis," said a statement.

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

“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."Justin Trudeau said Canada ill 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. 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," he said.

The Canadian Prime Minister said they 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.

Since the beginning of 2017, Canada has provided $45.9 million for aid partners to deliver life-saving and gender-responsive support for refugees, displaced people, and the communities who are hosting them.

This includes $12.5 million for the Myanmar Crisis Relief Fund that matched the generous contributions Canadians made to charities last year between August and November 2017, reports UNB.