Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has unveiled his country's strategy to step up its response to the Rohingya crisis which has left hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas to seek refuge in Bangladesh.

Canada will dedicate a fund of $300 million over three years to address the region's humanitarian, development, and stabilisation needs in a coordinated and timely way, according to a press release issued by the Canadian government in Ottawa Wednesday.

This comprehensive strategy, aimed at enhancing Canada's response and meeting the needs of those displaced and most vulnerable, is based on recommendations highlighted in the final report from the prime minister's special envoy to Myanmar, Bob Rae.

The grave humanitarian and security crisis in Myanmar is a global tragedy, which has led more than 717,000 Rohingyas to flee their homes in Rakhine and seek refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh, the release said.

Guided by the Feminist International Assistance Policy, the strategy puts emphasis on the needs of women and girls, and puts forward concrete and timely initiatives to promote human rights, gender equality, human dignity, and peace and security in the region.

The statement said Canada would lead on several initiatives, including those to improve living conditions of Rohingya refugees in camps and settlements; would support efforts to bring perpetrators of gross human rights violations to account, and to achieve a political solution to the plight of the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities in Myanmar; and would also help coordinate international efforts to address the crisis.

Justin Trudeau said Canada would not stand idle while hundreds of thousands of people suffer gross human rights violations.

“We share a global responsibility to respond to this crisis. We commend others who have acted in a compassionate and generous way, especially the government of Bangladesh and host communities in the region who continue to provide safe refuge to their neighbours in need.

We will continue to step up to protect human rights, and promote inclusion, respect for diversity, and security for all, while working towards sustainable peace and true reconciliation in Myanmar,” he said.

Canada was one of the first countries to respond to the Rohingya crisis, and remains one of the top humanitarian donors. Since the beginning of last year, the country has provided $45.9 million for aid partners to deliver life-saving and gender-responsive support for refugees, displaced people, and the host communities.