On 25 August 2017, an armed conflict between the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and the Myanmar military in northern Myanmar broke out that caused a large humanitarian crisis. According to the United Nations (UN), over 600,000 members of the Rohingya ethnic group have fled to Bangladesh. The Rohingya people lack access to food, water, shelter, medical services, sanitation, etc.
There are many challenges, including unaccompanied minors, physical and sexual violence against women, the risk of human smuggling, trafficking in human beings, ensuring family reunification, identification of people with disabilities and provision of assistance for them.
The UN has released its response plan, seeking $434 million to scale up the relief operation supporting the refugees and host communities from September 2017 to February 2018.
A donors conference for Rohingya refugees was held on 23 October 2017 in Geneva. During the conference, international donors pledged a total of $344 million in humanitarian aid to help the Rohingya people, who have fled to Bangladesh. Lithuania has also announced its commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to the Myanmar refugees.
