Kutupalong Refugee Camp
Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
May 15, 2018

ADMINISTRATOR GREEN: Good afternoon. Standing here with here with U.S. Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, I'm proud to announce that USAID is providing $44 million in additional humanitarian assistance to support the relief efforts towards the Rohingya, both in Bangladesh and in Burma. The time that I have spent here in Bangladesh and in this camp reminds me, number one, of the terrible atrocities that the Rohingya have faced. But, number two, how the world community is coming together to support the good work of the Bangladesh Government in trying to provide some relief to these poor beleaguered people.

And with this $44 million in assistance, we hope that this can help to support those efforts. Most of that money will go through the World Food Program to provide food and nutrition assistance, but it is our way of saying that we stand with the Government of Bangladesh in these key moments and the Rohingya people. We think this is an important way for the American people to show that we care and that we are supporting this very, very important work. Thank you.

MR. McCLESKEY: A question from Reuters.

QUESTION: [inaudible]

ADMINISTRATOR GREEN: Sorry?

QUESTION: Repatriation; what's your thought on that?

ADMINISTRATOR GREEN: So, I am here on behalf of the Secretary of State in both Bangladesh, and I am on my way to Burma. And most of my time is going to be fact-finding, learning, listening, and bringing my report back to the Secretary of State. And at that point I know that he will be interested in processing and trying to develop some recommendations that we can present to the President.

But what I am trying to do now is listen and learn. And I have been moved by the stories that I have heard, the people that I have met, the conditions that I have seen, and this is something very, very important. I look forward to doing the same thing when I go to Burma and having my chance to meet with the Rohingya camps there, and with the Government of Burma as well.

QUESTION: So, I'm from [inaudible].com. Like movie Godfather, I'd like just to say, I believe in Americans. What Americans can do is amazingly great. So, what do you think -- how -- where will you find these people after a few years, what is the future of the group of this Rohingya people?

ADMINISTRATOR GREEN: Well, all I can say is the Rohingya people that I have met, I have seen tremendous courage, I've seen a people who are still hopeful and optimistic. And I think with this assistance that we've announced today and the great work being done by so many people here, hopefully we can continue to provide some hope.

QUESTION: Your excellency, just a last moment. Myanmar Government has yet to be decided, the students that meet Rohingya people, they are not agreed for the return to their home yet. What about their citizenship?

ADMINISTRATOR GREEN: Well, again, what I hope to do while I'm here and when I'm over in Burma is to listen and learn. The United States position is that we support and want the voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya to Burma under safe conditions. That has continued to be our position. But again, I wish to listen, learn, and bring some recommendations and some information back to the Secretary of State.

MR. McCLESKEY: Thank you.