New Delhi (Sputnik) — India has extended humanitarian support to Bangladesh which says it has been "additionally burdened" by the fresh influx of at least 379,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar.
"In response to the humanitarian crisis being faced on account of the large influx of refugees into Bangladesh, Government of India has decided to extend assistance to Bangladesh," India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
According to the ministry, the relief material consists of items required urgently by the refugees, namely rice, pulses, sugar, salt, cooking oil, tea, ready-to-eat noodles, biscuits, mosquito nets etc. The relief material will be delivered in multiple consignments, the first tranche of which will be dropped to Chittagong by an Indian Air Force plane on 14th September 2017.
"India has always responded readily and swiftly to any crisis in Bangladesh, in keeping with the close ties of friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh. India stands ready to provide any assistance required by Government of Bangladesh in this hour of need," the statement added.
According to the UN estimates, over 379,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar's Rakhine state into Bangladesh since August 25 when a fresh wave of clashes between Rohingya militants and the Myanmar military erupted.
Bangladesh was already hosting about 400,000 Rohingya Muslims who had to leave Myanmar due to communal violence and repeated military operations. Earlier this week, Bangladesh had briefed India about the humanitarian crisis in the country caused by the sudden influx of additional refugees, while asking India to exert diplomatic pressure on Myanmar government to stop the military operation against the militants and find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.