DHAKA, 18 May 2021 (BSS) – Bangladesh today urged the United Nations (UN) and international community to deepen their efforts in finding permanent solution of Rohingya crisis while donors had so far pledged $340 million at lunching of Joint Response Plan (JRP) for this year.
“The international community, including the UN, must intensify their focus on the permanent solution, which lies in the sustainable return and reintegration of Rohingyas in Myanmar,” state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam said.
He was speaking at the launching ceremony of the 4th JRP for humanitarian assistance for about a million Rohingyas temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and Director General of International Organization for Migration (IOM) Antonio Vitorino also attended the event held on virtual platform.
Alam emphasized the urgency of a permanent solution to the prolonged crisis that has created enormous strain on Bangladesh with multifarious ramification.
He stated that the Rohingyas were willing to return their homeland in safety, security and dignity at the earliest to get rid of the precarious and hopeless situation.
“However, any ray of hope was yet to be seen. It was our shared responsibility to find a way out to save the distressed Rohingyas from the uncertainties and safeguard the region,” said the State Minister.
The state minister reiterated that the earliest repatriation of all displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in Rakhine remained a compelling priority for the government of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh was committed to ensure best possible humanitarian assistance during their temporary stay in Bangladesh.
The state minister highlighted that in order to decongest and de-risk the camps, Bangladesh developed the Bhasan Char from its own resources with required amenities and better facilities to relocate there 100,000 Rohingyas voluntary basis from the highly disaster-prone
camps in Cox’s Bazar.
He hoped that the United Nations agencies would commence their operation in Bhasan Char at the earliest.
While appreciating the persistent support of our international partners in humanitarian operation, the state minister quoted the Hon’ble Prime Minister that the return of Rohingyas to their homeland was the only solution to the crisis and the solution lied with
Myanmar.
He emphasized that all undertakings under the JRP or any other funding mechanisms should be implemented keeping this over-arching objective in mind.
The state minister underscored that the priority areas identified in the JRP must be aligned with the core objective of preparing the Rohingyas for their return.
The JRP has again brought together the efforts of Bangladesh government and 134 UN agencies and NGO partners to continue the humanitarian assistance for the Rohingyas as well as the host community affected by the massive influx.
Donners pledged $340 million that is 36 percent against the demand of nearly $1 billion to help Rohingyas in Bangladesh, Filippo Grandi told a virtual briefing after the meeting.
Besides, Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration in the US State Department participated through a recorded statement informing that the US would make a contribution of US$ 155 million to the JRP 2021.
Many other donors announced their pledges while appreciating the generous role played by the Government of Bangladesh.
Foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen and senior officials from theMinistry also join as members of Bangladesh delegation.