US to provide $32M for Rohingya crisis

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

The U.S. announced Wednesday it would provide nearly $32 million in humanitarian aid to help address the ongoing Rohingya crisis in Myanmar.

"The rapid influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees has strained resources and overwhelmed humanitarian agencies and local authorities," the State Department said in announcing the new funds.

The aid will provide a range of needed services including emergency shelter, food, water and health assistance.

Approximately 421,000 Rohingya Muslims have crossed from Myanmar's western Rakhine state into Bangladesh since Aug. 25, according to the UN. And more than 170,000 newly arrived refugees have not received any primary health care services, according to a senior UN official.

The refugees are fleeing a fresh security operation in which security forces and Buddhist mobs have killed men, women and children, looted homes and torched Rohingya villages.

According to Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali, around 3,000 Rohingya have been killed in the crackdown

"The United States calls upon all parties to allow for unfettered humanitarian access to people in Rakhine State, Burma, and we also encourage other donors to join us in providing additional humanitarian assistance for those affected by the crisis," the State Department said, using the U.S. government's preferred name for Myanmar.

Total U.S. humanitarian funding for internally displaced people in Myanmar and refugees since last October, now stands at $95 million, according to the agency.

Myanmar's de factor leader, Aung Sang Suu Kyi, said Tuesday her government will grant access to international observers in the conflict-hit western state.

Prior to assuming her leadership, Suu Kyi drew accolades for her work to bring democratic reform to the military-ruled country, earning her a Nobel Peace Prize. But her handling of the ongoing crisis has led to calls for her to be stripped of the award.

During a call Tuesday with Suu Kyi, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson "welcomed the Burmese government’s commitment to end the violence in Rakhine state and to allow those displaced by the violence to return home.

"He also urged the Burmese government and military to facilitate humanitarian aid for displaced people in the affected areas and to address deeply troubling allegations of human rights abuses and violations," spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

Speaking at the UN, British Prime Minister Theresa May urged Myanmar to “put an end to the violence, allow humanitarian access and fully implement the [Kofi] Annan Commission recommendations.”

The commission led by the former UN chief recommended the government allow humanitarian access throughout Rakhine state, hold human rights violators accountable and end restrictions of movements, among other measures.

The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.

Last October, following attacks on border posts in Rakhine's Maungdaw district, security forces launched a five-month crackdown in which, according to Rohingya groups, around 400 people were killed.

The UN documented mass gang rapes, killings -- including of infants and young children -- brutal beatings, and disappearances committed by security personnel.

In a report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.