Norway to provide an additional NOK 10 million in humanitarian aid to Rakhine state in Myanmar
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Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press release | Date: 26/05/2015 | Last updated: 28/05/2015
'I am deeply concerned about the plight of the refugees in the Indian Ocean. There is an urgent need to support measures in Rakhine state to prevent more people becoming victims of human trafficking. Norway is therefore providing an additional NOK 10 million in humanitarian aid to Rakhine state in Myanmar,' Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende said.
In addition to supporting preventive measures in Rakhine state, these funds will be used to help internally displaced people return to their homes, and to provide better access to health care in Rakhine. This will benefit Buddhists and Muslims alike.
'In Norway's dialogue with the authorities in Myanmar, we discuss the dire situation of the affected people in Rakhine. We emphasise the need to uphold fundamental human rights for all and to address the underlying causes of the conflict,' said Foreign Minister Brende.
Norway has raised the issue of the unacceptable situation for the Rohingya, the Muslim minority in Rakhine, with the authorities in Myanmar on several occasions. Norway has also co-sponsored a resolution in the UN General Assembly that calls on Myanmar to address the situation in Rakhine state. What is most urgent now is that basic human rights are respected and humanitarian aid is provided to everyone who needs it. Norway is already providing humanitarian aid, and supports local initiatives to facilitate dialogue between the parties to the conflict.