The United States will contribute $32 million (around Rs 205 crore) to help Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar, the state department said on Wednesday. The money will be used for food, medical care, water, sanitation and shelter for the minority group.

The US State Department said it would provide the money from an existing account for refugee and migration issues, AP reported. It will coordinate the aid through the International Committee of the Red Cross and affiliated local groups. The US said the money is roughly one-fourth of what global aid groups say they need to address the humanitarian crisis.

Lakhs of Rohingya Muslims have fled the country in recent weeks after violence broke out in the Rakhine State, resulting in what the United Nations has referred to as an “ethnic cleansing”. Rohingyas have been denied citizenship in Myanmar, and are classified as illegal immigrants. The community has been subjected to violence by the Buddhist majority and the Army in Myanmar.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s de-facto leader, has been facing criticism from world leaders, and the crisis has threatened to jeopardise Myanmar’s US-aided shift toward democracy after five decades of military rule.