During her visit, Minister Chapman will see UK-funded programmes supporting Rohingya refugees to help prevent Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
The UK continues to call for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar when conditions allow. This visit follows the recent announcement of a new £27 million package of aid to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to over half a million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
While in Bangladesh, the Minister will also meet with key figures in the Interim Government, including Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, and Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Ashik Chowdhury. She will also attend a roundtable focused on UK–Bangladesh cooperation on irregular migration.
UK Minister for International Development, Baroness Chapman said
The UK is proud to stand with Bangladesh as a true partner. From supporting the Rohingya refugees being hosted by Bangladeshi communities, to tackling the climate crisis and irregular migration, our work together is delivering real and positive impacts for both our countries.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said
This visit underscores the UK’s commitment to a modern, mutually beneficial development partnership with Bangladesh.
Minister Chapman will also announce the UK will provide new support to tackle the impacts of the climate crisis in twelve Asian and African countries and regions, including Bangladesh while on the visit. This includes UK help to build resilience for vulnerable and food-insecure households and communities through the Resilience and Adaptation Fund. This will provide skills training in areas like climate-resilient farming techniques designed to withstand seasonal flooding and cyclones to tens of thousands of households.
Notes to editors
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The UK announced a £27 million package of aid in September to provide food, shelter, clean water, and other life-saving services to half a million Rohingya refugees displaced from Myanmar by conflict and persecution. The UK is a leading long-term contributor to the Rohingya response in Bangladesh, having provided over £447 million since 2017.
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The UK will provide a £30 million uplift to the Resilience and Adaptation Fund. £4 million has been allocated to Bangladesh, with eleven other countries and regions also set to receive funding (Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Myanmar, Nigeria, the Sahel, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Uganda).