The following is attributable to Acting Spokesperson Tom Babington:

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green met yesterday in Washington, D.C. with the Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, The Honourable Abul Kalam (A.K.) Abdul Momen, Ph.D.

Administrator Green applauded Bangladesh's continued hospitality and generosity in hosting one million Rohingya refugees, and reiterated the U.S. commitment to helping people in Burma and Bangladesh affected by the ongoing violence in Rakhine State. In total, the U.S. Government has provided more than $494 million in humanitarian assistance since the outbreak of violence in Rakhine in August 2017. The Administrator also expressed concern for the future of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and the communities that are hosting them, and urged the Government of Bangladesh to enable access for the Rohingya to medium- and longer-term interventions, such as education and training.

The two officials also discussed economic growth and women's empowerment in Bangladesh.

Administrator Green urged the Government of Bangladesh to bring to justice the murderers of USAID employee Xulhaz Mannan without further delay. This month marks the third anniversary of Mannan's killing.