DHAKA, Sept 17, 2018 (BSS) – India today handed over its third phase of
humanitarian assistance to Bangladesh for helping in its efforts to meet the
requirements of displaced Rohingyas influx from Myanmar last year.
Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla handed over 1.1 million
litres of Super Kerosene Oil (SKO) and 20,000 Kerosene Multi Wick Stoves to
Bangladesh’s Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain
Chowdhury Maya at Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar, hosted over one million
displaced Myanmar nationals.
“India understands the plight of displaced persons and appreciated
Bangladesh’s support towards Rohingyas,” an Indian High Commission press
release quoted Shringla as saying.
India has always stood by Bangladesh in times of need. It is in this spirit
of friendship that New Delhi have come forward to share their burden and will
continue to do so, he said.
The Indian envoy informed that India has also started construction of pre-
fabricated houses at a village called Kyein Chaung in Maungdaw district in
the Rakhine State. “I am happy to inform that we are building 250 houses
which are nearing completion,” he added.
These dwellings are intended to be facilitated the return of displaced
persons from Bangladesh, he said.
As a neighbour, friend and partner of Bangladesh, Shringla mentioned India
has responded promptly to support the Government of Bangladesh in meeting the
relief requirements posed by this large influx of displaced persons.
In May 2018, he said the External Affairs Minister of India underscored the
need for three Ss – safe, speedy and sustainable return of the displaced
persons to Rakhine State.
Recalling the visit of Indian Home Minister to Bangladesh in July 2018, the
High Commissioner said he reiterated India’s commitment to help in the return
of displaced people to their homes in Myanmar.
“India will continue to extend humanitarian assistance to support the
Government of Bangladesh in its efforts to provide assistance to the
displaced persons. Our gesture of providing relief will continue beyond the
third tranche,” he said.
Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Shah Kamal, Refuge, Relief and
Repatriation Commissioner Mohammed Abul Kalam, Bangladesh Red Crescent
Society Chairman Hafiz Ahmed Majumder and Secretary General Feroz Salauddin
Vikram Doraiswami and Indian External Affairs Ministry’s Joint Secretary
(Bangladesh, Myanmar) Vikram Doraiswami were present.
In September 2017, the Government of India under ‘Operation Insaniyat’ had
extended the first phase of humanitarian assistance while Bangladesh received
second phase of assistance from India in May 2018.