Denmark seeks global support for Rohingya crisis

A Danish minister appraised Bangladesh for sheltering a huge number of Rohingyas but it is very important that the international community now steps up its support to Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh cannot solve this crisis alone," said Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Ulla Tornaes seeking support from the international community for the effected local communities around Cox’s Bazar.

The Danish Minister visited the Danish-supported humanitarian projects on Sunday and Monday that provides help with immediate protection, food aid and shelter for hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas, reports UNB.

The minister met government representatives and several organisations during the visit to Cox’s Bazar, and expressed the need for international support.

"Denmark reacted swiftly with substantial humanitarian aid when the crisis began in August. So far, we’ve allocated and committed over DKK 120 million (USD 18.7 million) for civilians in Rakhine as well as for the hundreds of thousands Rohingyas who have fled Myanmar," she said.

The Danish minister said she is especially concerned about the many women and children who have been exposed to brutal attacks and sexual violence. "They’re particularly vulnerable. Denmark also supports One-Stop-Crisis Centres near the refugee camps. The centres take care of traumatised women and children in a safe environment.”

According to the United Nations, more than 600.000 Rohingyas have fled Myanmar since the 25th of August.

Denmark’s most recent humanitarian commitment came at the UN’s donor’s conference in Geneva where Ulla Tornaes pledged to commit an additional DKK 32 million (USD 5 million) to UNHCR for the most affected refugees and for the people affected in the communities in Cox’s Bazar.

Denmark has also contributed with DKK 40 million to Red Cross International and UN’s World Food Programme as well as previous donations to UNHCR and Danish NGO’s working in the area.