Rohingyas a ‘huge burden’ for Bangladesh: Germany

Germany says it is deeply concerned with the influx of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh as it is a "huge burden" for the country.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 10 Sept 2017, 07:35 PM
Updated : 10 Sept 2017, 07:35 PM

“We expressly welcome the generous reception and care of the refugees in Bangladesh,” Federal Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said in a statement.

Bangladesh has given shelter to nearly 300,000 Myanmar nationals who fled Rakhine State following the violence perpetrated by Myanmar security forces.

He said the renewed crisis in Rakhine shows “how important a sustainable improvement of the situation in Rakhine is”.

Through the United Nations Central Emergency Fund (CERF), Germany is also involved in humanitarian aid for those affected in Bangladesh.

The minister said Germany also supports the recently published recommendations of the Rakhine Advisory Commission under the leadership of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as a “good starting point”.

“I appeal to Aung San Suu Kyi and the Myanmar government to implement the recommendations of the Rakhine Advisory Commission directly and comprehensively. Germany and the EU are ready to support Myanmar."

"I am gravely concerned at the renewed fighting in the state of Rakhine, Myanmar, which has been triggered by attacks on military and police stations and which has once again triggered a large flow of refugees to Bangladesh.

“I appeal to all sides to contribute to de-escalation and to protect the civilian population,” he said.

“The focus now needs to be on the suffering of the affected people”.

“That is why the Myanmar government must allow aid and humanitarian organisations unlimited access to the affected areas”.