Visiting IOM chief meets Bangladesh foreign minister, discusses Rohingya crisis

Visiting Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), William Lacy Swing, has discussed the Rohingya crisis with Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali at a meeting in Dhaka.

The meeting took place at the State Guest House Padma on Wednesday on Swing's return from Cox's Bazar refugee camps where over half a million displaced Myanmar Nationals took shelter fleeing persecution in the Rakhine State.

The foreign minister briefed him about the current situation regarding influx of Rohingyas and apprised that more than 582,000 Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh since Aug 25, 2017.

He also mentioned the presence of nearly a million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals was creating a severe humanitarian challenge for Bangladesh.

The IOM head thanked the government and the people of Bangladesh for giving shelter to the helpless Rohingyas from Myanmar and sincerely appreciated Bangladesh's role, especially the Prime Minister, in providing humanitarian assistance to the displaced Rohingyas.

Referring to the UN efforts to assist the Rohingyas, he informed the Minister that the UN would raise funds to cover the increasing humanitarian needs.

Swing mentioned about the upcoming Pledging Conference to be held in Geneva on 23 October 2017.

The Foreign Minister said that the root of Rohingya problem lies in Myanmar and the solution has to be found in Myanmar only.

He expressed hope that IOM will use its good office to create international pressure on Myanmar towards the smooth return of Rohingyas to their homes in Myanmar in safety, security, and dignity.

Referring to his meeting with the Union Minister of Myanmar earlier this month, Foreign Minister informed Swing that a paper outlining the arrangement for the return of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar was handed over to the Union Minister of Myanmar.

Bangladesh is waiting for the response from Myanmar in this regard. 

The Foreign Minister thanked and commended IOM for their leading role in coordinating the activities of UN agencies and International NGOs to support the humanitarian response to Rohingya Crisis.