Refugee High Commissioner urges support for Bangladesh saves Rohingya lives and "ignites hope"
Pictures: © UNHCR/Kamrul Hasan Rohingya Cultural Memory Center in Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Cox Bazar District, Bangladesh, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is with Rohingya refugees.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees concluded its five-day visit to Bangladesh today. He called for ongoing and predictable support for Rohingya refugees and their host communities.
Refugee High Commissioner Grandi said after visiting refugee camps in Cox Bazar and Basangchar Island in the Bay of Bengal, "The world must remember the crises faced by Rohingya refugees and their host countries over the past five years."
Bangladesh hosts approximately 1 million Rohingya refugees, most of whom fled Myanmar after August 2017.
One of the most persecuted groups
Rohingya are one of the most persecuted minority groups in the world. They mainly believe in Islam and have lived in northern Rakhine State, Myanmar, which is mainly Buddhists. The Rohingya are regarded as alien by many Burmese people, who have no nationality and citizenship. They cannot travel freely, own land, and suffer willing taxation and eviction.
In history, a large number of refugee waves of Rohingya fled from Myanmar have occurred many times. The most recent one began in August 2017. Myanmar security forces launched a "clearance operation" against the Rohingya in the north of Rakhine State, causing about 700,000 Rohingya to cross the border and flee to Bangladesh for refuge.
United Nations priority
Grandi praised the important progress made by the Bangladesh government in addressing the refugee problem, including providing COVID-19 vaccination to more than 88% of the population aged 18 and above.
He stressed that “Bangladesh has taken the lead in aiding nearly one million refugees, and it remains a priority partner of UNHCR, but continued international support is crucial to providing life-saving assistance and ignite hope.” The High Commissioner noted that refugee lives depend on “how the international community responds to the issue of caring for them”. He reminded that international support is crucial, “including providing flexible funding to protect Rohingya refugees until they can return home safely.” When meeting with national leaders, UNHCR donors and humanitarian actors, Grandi also stressed the need to give refugees hope and to voluntarily return to Myanmar if conditions permit.
He said: "The world must work hard to solve the root causes of their escape and turn these dreams into reality."
returned hope
Grandi pointed out that the solution is in Myanmar.
He said: "The Rohingya refugees I met reaffirmed their desire to return home if conditions permit."
Meanwhile, UNHCR and UNDP continue to carry out community projects in Rakhine State, Myanmar, under the tripartite agreement maintained with the military leadership.
However, he explained that these initiatives must be expanded and better supported in order to create conditions for voluntary return in a just, safe and sustainable manner.
Safety, dignity and education
At the same time, Bangladesh opens its mind to provide temporary shelter for wandering Rohingya people. About 52% of these refugees are under the age of 18.
Therefore, the head of UNHCR insists that Rohingya parents can send their children to school and study based on the Myanmar curriculum, which is currently being launched in the refugee camps.
He also said, "Skill development and livelihood activities of Cox Bazar and Basangchar are extremely important for allowing refugees to build peaceful communities, create a safe environment and support their sustainable return."
Island Camps
The Bangladesh government has moved approximately 28,000 Rohingya refugees to the offshore island of Basangchar, where it has expanded basic humanitarian services.
Grandi calls for continued strong management of the situation on the island and strengthening educational services, skills development and livelihood measures.
Humanitarian agencies need more than $881 million this year to support approximately 1.4 million people, including 920,000 Rohingya refugees in Cox Bazar and Basangchar Islands, and about 540,000 Bangladeshis in “neighboring communities.”
As of this month, the joint response plan received only 13% of the funding.
