Army to join Rohingya relief operations in Cox's Bazar camps Saturday

The army will join the relief operations in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar from Saturday, according to the district administration.

Deputy Commissioner Md Ali Hossain briefed the media at a news conference on the current situation in the refugee camps along the border with Myanmar in the southeastern district on Friday.

He said a team of soldiers visited the camp area earlier in the day to assess the situation and the need to start the work in coordination with the administration formally.

He said the number of refugees fleeing the ongoing spell of violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State crossed 430,000.

"We sought the army's help because it has become very difficult for us to distribute relief and manage the huge number refugees who suddenly crossed the border," Hossain said.

"We are providing the refugees with food, shelter, medical assistance and all sorts of humanitarian aid. The local administration cannot handle this huge work alone." 

He said the decision to engage army in the relief work was made following instructions from the Prime Minister's Office.

The DC also said the police and other law-enforcing agencies have been deployed to ensure security in the area.

Cox's Bazar Superintendent of Police AKM Iqbal Hossain said the law enforcers have strengthened patrol and intelligence activities in the area along the border.

When asked, he said no member of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) or any terrorist group has entered Bangladesh. "They don't exist in Bangladesh and we will not allow any terrorist activities in our country." 

Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam said the newly arrived Rohingyas built 26,000 makeshift houses on their own with the help of aid agencies while the government is constructing 14,000 sheds.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has offered to build 4,000 sheds with funds from the organisation's Turkish chapter. The proposal was awaiting the government's clearance, Kalam said.