USAID, KSRelief sign joint statement to co-fund WFP project in Cox’s Bazar 

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) signed a joint statement on Thursday to provide $1 million, each, to a programme managed by the World Food Programme (WFP). 

The WFP project manages disaster risk reduction and the rehabilitation of cyclone shelters in Cox's Bazar district.   

The virtual signing ceremony was attended by: USAID Acting Deputy Administrator John Barsa, KSRelief Supervisor General Dr Abullah Al Rabeeah, United States (US) Ambassador to Saudi Arabia John Abizaid, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Ambassador to the US HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, according to a press statement. 

During his remarks, John Barsa reiterated the commitment of the US to strengthening the resilience of vulnerable Bangladeshi host communities in Cox's Bazar that host over 860,000 Rohingya refugees.  

The acting deputy administrator also recognised 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, it read. 

Additionally, the acting deputy administrator thanked WFP for its partnership with USAID to combat global hunger as well as respond to the Rohingya crisis and other humanitarian emergencies around the world, according to the press release.