The World Bank has suspended $200 million credit for budget support to Myanmar’s government due to the persecution of Rohingyas of Rakhine State, The Daily Star has reported.
The loan agreement was signed on 18 August between Myanmar and World Bank.
In a statement issued on 12 October, the World Bank stated as follows:
“As an institution dedicated to the fundamental principles of non-discrimination, social inclusion and economic opportunity for all, we are deeply concerned by the violence, destruction and forced displacement of the Rohingya.
In the context of the crisis we have reviewed our engagement in the country to strengthen our focus on high-impact projects that support education, health services, electricity, rural roads and inclusion of all ethnic groups and religions, particularly in Rakhine state. We also assessed the conditions of our recently approved development policy loan and concluded that further progress is needed for the loan to be made effective.”
The decision came swiftly a day after Bangladesh on 11 October asked the World Bank for support to cope with hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees. On 11 October itself the World Bank in a statement said “it is ready to move with a program of support for the government, host communities, and the refugees.”
“We appreciate that Bangladesh is supporting the Rohingya people as it works diligently to reduce poverty and increase prosperity. While we hope the refugees can safely return home soon, it is important that the international community support them and the host communities in the near term with basic services. We will do everything we can to provide that support,” said Annette Dixon, Vice President at the World Bank for the South Asia Region.
On August 18, Daw Nwe Nwe Win, director general of the Treasury Department, Ministry of Planning and Finance, Myanmar, and Ellen Goldstein, WB country director for Myanmar, Cambodia and Lao PDR, signed the $200 million budget support agreement.
This would have been the first direct financial support to the Union Budget had it not been suspended. The credit was aimed at accelerating economic changes needed for long-term peace and prosperity.
About the loan suspension, the WB in its statement said, “As an institution dedicated to the fundamental principles of non-discrimination, social inclusion and economic opportunity for all, we are deeply concerned by the violence, destruction and forced displacement of the Rohingya.”
Against the backdrop of Rohingya crisis, the WB said, it had reviewed its engagement in the country to strengthen focus on high-impact projects intended to support education, health services, electricity, rural roads and inclusion of all ethnic groups and religions, particularly in Rakhine State.
The global lender is also working closely with the UN and the wider international community. Together they are encouraging the Myanmar government to take urgent steps to defuse the situation and support a broad and inclusive humanitarian response, including paving the way for the return of refugees and internally displaced population, the WB said.
Bangladesh asked the WB for support to cope with hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees. The global financial institution responded, saying it was ready to move to launch a support programme for the government, host communities and refugees.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given the go-ahead to seeking financial assistance from the WB, Finance Minister AMA Muhith informed reporters in Washington last week.
The formal request letter is likely to be sent to the WB headquarters after the finance minister and other high officials return home, a finance ministry official said.