Geneva

of the Republic of Estonia

Genf, 23 oktoober 2017

Thank you, Chair.

Please allow me to start by thanking co-hosts theEuropean Union and the Government of Kuwait and the organisers – OCHA, IOM andUNHCR – for this very timely Pledging Conference. Estonia would also like toextend its gratitude to the speakers this morning for sharing their insights onthe worrying situation of the Rohingya Refugee Crisis. The violence in Rakhinestate has triggeredthe largest and swiftest refugee exodus witnessed in the region in recentdecades. In this context, we commend thehospitality and generosity of the people and the government of Bangladesh inwelcoming and assisting the Rohingya refugees.

The humanitarian situation at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh is deeply worrying. The speed and scale of the influx has caused a criticalhumanitarian emergency and urgent needs: without a rapid, comprehensiveresponse, we risk significant harm and loss of life. The Rohingya face serioushealth risks, including disease outbreaks like cholera and acute diarrhoea. Yet,it is also to be kept in mind that hundreds of thousands of people still remain inRakhine state in very worrying circumstances. Estonia emphasizes the need togrant unhampered access to humanitarian actors in order to address the humanitarianneeds in Rakhine state. The human suffering ofthe Rohingya must not beignored and it is crucial that the obligations under international humanitarianand human rights law are upheld and respected. Addressing the root causes must be a priority and the violence needs to stop immediately. We also encourage all sides toimplement the recommendations made by the AdvisoryCommission on Rakhine State, chaired by Kofi Annan.

Mister Chairperson, allow me to address in particularour deep concern about the most vulnerable groups – women and children,including unaccompanied minors, who have been particularly affected by theviolence. Atrocities such as sexual exploitation and abuse, and gender-basedviolence must halt immediately. Women and children constitute around 80% of theRohingya refugee population in Bangladesh. In this context and considering theacute protection needs, protection of people must be put at the very centre ofthe response to the crisis. We also note with concern that the Rohingyarefugees are particularly vulnerable as most of them are stateless refugees.

We commend the swift actions so far of the first handresponders, under the leadership of the Government of Bangladesh. Providing aidand assistance in particular in the areas of shelter, infrastructure, WASH and enablingaccess to basic services is an important lifeline for the Rohingya. However,allow me to emphasise that effective coordination of aid efforts is paramountin such fast-growing and large-scale crises. The coordination efforts must bestepped up and the roles and responsibilities of responders must be clarifiedin order to respond most efficiently.

Although there are nohumanitarian solutions to humanitarian crises, the worsening of the situationand a further humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Bangladesh can be averted throughhumanitarian assistance. The international community can do more by stepping up their efforts in support of theRohingya refugees. Estonia is committed to contributing to improving thehumanitarian situation of the Rohingya in Bangladesh and has dispersed 50’000 EUR through UNHCR in orderto alleviate the alarming needs.

Thank you.