The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Saudi Arabia's King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) will provide $1 million each to a programme managed by the World Food Programme (WFP) to rehabilitate cyclone shelters and reduce the risk of disasters in Cox’s Bazar.

USAID and KSRelief have signed a joint statement expressing their shared commitment, said the US Embassy on Friday.

USAID Acting Deputy Administrator John Barsa; KSRelief Supervisor General Dr. Abullah Al Rabeeah; U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia John Abizaid, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ambassador to the United States HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud participated in the virtual signing ceremony.

Acting Deputy Administrator Barsa reiterated the commitment of the United States to strengthening the resilience of vulnerable Bangladeshi host communities in Cox’s Bazar that host over 860,000 Rohingya refugees, including in the world’s largest refugee camp, while facing compounding shocks, including extreme weather and the pandemic of COVID-19.

Barsa also recognized USAID’s long-standing collaboration with KSRelief and commended the agency for joining USAID as a leading donor of needs-based humanitarian assistance to the world’s most vulnerable.

The Acting Deputy Administrator thanked WFP for its partnership with USAID to combat global hunger and responding to the Rohingya crisis and other humanitarian emergencies around the world.

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