DHAKA, May 25, 2022 (BSS) - Foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today said 
Dhaka expects further proactive engagements from the international community 
and UNHCR for ensuring sustainable repatriation of forcefully displaced 
Rohingyas to their land of origin in Rakhine state of Myanmar. 

"Bangladesh expects International Community, in particular UNHCR, to enhance 
their activities in Rakhine in creating environment conducive to the 
sustainable repatriation of the persecuted Rohingya to Rakhine," he said. 

The Foreign Minister made this remark while visiting United Nations High 
Commissioner for Refugees and Under-Secretary General Filippo Grandi called 
on him at the state guest house in Padma. 

Dr Momen said proactive engagement of the international community in 
confidence building among the Rohingya people is crucial for sustainable 
repatriation. 

Thanking UNHCR for its continued engagement in the humanitarian operations 
for the forcibly displaced Rohingya, he urged the high commissioner to engage 
with Myanmar with the view to create conducive environment in the Rakhine 
State for early repatriation. 

Momen highlighted the introduction of informal education for the Rohingya 
children under Myanmar Curriculum in Myanmar Language, skill development 
activities, livelihood opportunities, health facilities etc. both in Cox's 
Bazar and in Bhasan Char.

 He expressed hope that these initiatives would facilitate their 
reintegration in Myanmar society upon return.

The High Commissioner informed that his organisation is making efforts in 
this regard and assured that he will further pursue this. He underscored that 
the UNHCR is in the same page with Bangladesh concerning voluntary and 
sustainable repatriation the Rohingyas to Myanmar. 

The foreign minister expressed concern over the presence of huge number of 
persecuted and displaced Rohingyas which might have multifaceted 
ramifications on the entire region. 

He mentioned that Rohingya, over time, are getting frustrated due to 
uncertainty over the repatriation and thus are increasingly engaged in 
criminal activities like drug and human trafficking. 

"Also, the prolonged stay of the displaced population is creating tensions 
among the local population," he added, 

The foreign minister also underscoring the need for undertaking projects for 
the wellbeing of local population. 

The High Commissioner lauded Bangladesh for temporarily sheltering and 
generously providing for such a huge number of displaced Rohingyas. 

While sharing his experience of the visits to Cox's Bazar Rohingya Camp and 
Bhasan Char, he mentioned that the ardent aspirations of all the Rohingyas he 
met to return to Myanmar at the earliest. 

He assured to extent all sorts of support to Bangladesh in ensuring 
sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya to Rakhine. 

Grandi also informed that the UNHCR and other international agencies are 
undertaking number of projects for the benefit of the local population in 
Cox's Bazar. 

While highlighting various aspects of Bhasan Char, the foreign minister 
emphasized on the full engagement of UN systems in Bhasan Char to provide 
humanitarian assistance for all the relocated Rohingyas on the island. 

The High Commissioner reiterated to continue providing necessary support to 
the Government of Bangladesh for Bhasan Char. He underscored that ensuring 
sustainability of the Bhasan Char project is important and all should work 
together on this. 

High Commissioner Filippo Grandi arrived Bangladesh on May 21 while he 
travelled to Cox's Bazar from May 21 to May 23 and visited Bhasan Char on May 
24. 

He is scheduled to depart Dhaka for Geneva today after wrapping up his fifth 
visit in Bangladesh.