UNHCR welcomes Bangladesh’s plan to relocate Rohingyas to Bahasan Char island

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has lauded the Bangladesh government for its proactive steps to create an alternative settlement plan for Rohingyas.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 21 March 2019, 03:49 PM
Updated : 21 March 2019, 06:55 PM

Visiting Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Volker Turk at a press briefing, however, said any relocation must be voluntary in nature and ensure livelihood.

“We welcome the fact the government of Bangladesh has taken very active steps to identity alternative settlements,” he said, replying to a question in Dhaka on Thursday.

“You also know if you have been in Kutupalang or various camps in Cox’s Bazar, there is huge congestion,” he said, concluding his five-day visit in Bangladesh.

The government is developing the river island habitable with its own cost of estimated Tk 23.12 billion. The relocation can start anytime soon as over 80 percent of the works are done.

A view of the Thengar Char island in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh, February 2, 2017. Picture taken February 2, 2017. Reuters

Some international NGOs are criticising the government for the move.

Officials said this is needed to reduce congestion on the world’s largest refugee settlement in Cox’s Bazar, where nearly 1.2 million Rohingya have fled to escape military atrocities in Myanmar. The government has planned to relocate about 100,000 Rohingyas.

The UNHCR official said the “UN has had very constructive discussion with the government of Bangladesh on the issue of relocation.”

“It’s important for us we continue this discussion,” he said, adding that for them it is important to ensure that the relocation takes place on voluntary basis.

At the same time, he said, the government has to ensure that they can continue livelihood. “Still we are having discussion.”

“We are in continuing discussion with the government of Bangladesh in this regard,” he said, adding that the discussion will be continued so that everything is prepared for the eventual relocation of some of them in Bhasan Char.

The UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner also lauded Bangladesh’s role in the Rohingya response and said “Bangladeshis were the first one to provide aid immediate aftermath the crisis.”

“Host community in Cox’s bazar opened their minds and hearts towards the situation. We need to honour it by continuing to support them while they host refugees on their territory.

“We need to ensure there is sustained international attention and support for the Rohingya refugee population.”

He said the UNHCR will do whatever possible within its power to ensure that “there will be continued international attention to the remarkable generosity that Bangladesh has shown towards the Rohingya refugees.”

“You have literally saved a million lives and its absolutely crucial that international community support Bangladesh and the host community.”