The European Commission has disbursed €3 million aid to address the most pressing needs of Rohingyas who have fled into Bangladesh to escape persecution in Myanmar.

"The European Union is providing further emergency humanitarian aid as the situation continues to be critical," it said in a statement released from Brussels on Tuesday.

This additional funding will help provide emergency shelter, water, food and health assistance for newly arrived refugees in Bangladesh and people in need in Myanmar as soon as humanitarian access to the latter is restored, it said.

The funding comes on top of the €12 million announced in May 2017 when the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides visited Rakhine.

"I thank the government and people of Bangladesh for their hospitality in sheltering many refugees," said Commissioner Christos Sylianides.