Burma Campaign UK, a British-based human rights group, issued a statement on February 18, requesting that Bangladesh prioritize funding for the Rohingya refugees in need of international aid as the reduction of food aid to the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh could have dire consequences for them.
The World Food Organization (WFP) announced this week that it will reduce food rations for Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazzar, Bangladesh by 17 percent starting March 1.
From the previous subsidy of US$12, the subsidy will now be only US$10. The cuts come as international funding has dropped sharply, and further cuts are possible in April if donors don't provide an additional $125 million urgently, the WFP said.
Burma Campaign UK points out that reducing aid could leave Rohingya, particularly women and girls, vulnerable to trafficking.
Myanmar was not invited to the Thai-US Cobra Gold military exercise
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Royal Thai Army said that Myanmar will not participate in the 42nd Cobra Gold military exercise to be held in Thailand on February 27.
At a press conference held at the headquarters of the Royal Thai Army, the Chief of Army Staff said that Myanmar was not invited due to the limited number of seats. This is the third year in a row that Myanmar has not participated in the Cobra Gold military exercise.
The annual Cobra Gold military exercise jointly held by Thailand and the United States will involve 7,394 troops from 30 countries, including this year's observers.
Thailand United States Singapore South Korea Indonesia Countries such as Japan and Malaysia will participate in the main training, while Australia, China and India will participate in humanitarian and disaster relief exercises, he said.
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