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Switzerland will provide 1.8 million Swiss francs in emergency assistance for the Rohingya refugess, fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh.
The country is also mobilising additional funds as the number of Myanmar nationals fleeing into Bangladesh went up.
The Swiss Embassy said that 1 million Swiss francs is being channelled through UNHCR and IOM to provide lifesaving support and respond to the immediate needs of the new arrivals, reports bdnews24.com.
It is exploring opportunities to channel 800,000 Swiss francs through international NGOs operating in Cox’s Bazar.
Swiss Solidarity, a Swiss foundation that raises funds from the people in Switzerland for humanitarian assistance with support of Swiss radio and television services, has initiated a collection call to raise money to help the displaced Rohingyas.
“It is expected that several million Swiss francs will be collected amongst Swiss population in support of Rohingya refugees,” the embassy said as high level Swiss officials are currently visiting Cox’s Bazar where half a million new Rohingyas took shelter in a month.
Delegate of the Swiss Government for Humanitarian Aid and Deputy Director General of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) Ambassador Manuel Bessler is leading the delegation.
He reiterated Switzerland’s pledges to support Bangladesh and provide humanitarian assistance in view of the Rohingya crisis.
Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh René Holenstein is accompanying Bessler in Cox’s Bazar.
“Switzerland is deeply concerned about the current humanitarian crisis,” Bessler said while visiting a Rohingya settlement of new arrivals in Palong Khali.
“The challenges I witness here are unprecedented in nature. Therefore, it is very important to devise a well-coordinated response by all actors and extend their support to all those in need, including the local communities.”
Bessler also reiterated that he was concerned about the risks that the most vulnerable groups of the displaced Rohingyas - like unaccompanied children - faced and underlined that impartial humanitarian assistance and the protection for those in need - wherever they are - was of utmost priority.
The embassy said Switzerland encourages national, regional and international efforts towards a political solution to the current crisis and stands ready to offer its “good services” to bring together relevant actors in order to find a long term solution to the crisis in Rakhine state.
Switzerland will also provide basic household items and tarpaulin to the most vulnerable Rohingya population.
Bessler handed over the first tranche of relief materials to the ISCG coordinator, together with Ambassador Holenstein, in Cox’s bazar on Monday.
Switzerland will engage Swiss experts to support agencies operating in Cox’s Bazar as well.
“Switzerland stands by Bangladesh in its humanitarian efforts in times of need.”
Earlier, in response to the recent flooding in Bangladesh, the Swiss government has committed 200,000 Swiss francs to support the flood affected people in Bangladesh.