State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam has said the international community, including the UN, must intensify their focus on the permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis, which lies in the sustainable return and reintegration of Rohingyas in Myanmar.

He made the remarks at the launching ceremony of the 4th Joint Response Plan (JRP-2021) for humanitarian assistance for about a million Rohingyas temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and Director General of International Organization for Migration (IOM) Antonio Vitorino also attended the event held virtually on Tuesday.

The Bangladesh delegation, led by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, also included Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen and senior officials from the Ministry.

The State Minister emphasised the urgency of a permanent solution to the prolonged crisis that has created enormous strain on Bangladesh with multifarious ramification.

He said the Rohingyas were willing to return to their homeland in safety, security and dignity at the earliest to get rid of the precarious and hopeless situation. “However, any ray of hope was yet to be seen.”

Also read: UNHCR supporting Cox’s Bazar locals with community projects, livelihood initiatives

He highlighted that it was their shared responsibility to find a way-out to save the distressed Rohingyas from the uncertainties and safeguard the region.

The State Minister reiterated that the earliest repatriation of all displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in Rakhine remained a compelling priority for the government of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh was committed to ensuring best possible humanitarian assistance during their temporary stay in Bangladesh.

Also read: Don’t worry about Rohingya relocation to Bhasan Char: Dhaka to UNHCR

The State Minister highlighted that in order to decongest and de-risk the camps, Bangladesh developed the Bhasan Char from her own resources with required amenities and better facilities to relocate there 100,000 Rohingyas from the highly disaster-prone camps in Cox’s Bazar and informed that so far over 18,000 Rohingyas had already been shifted on voluntary basis.

He hoped that the United Nations agencies would commence their operation in Bhasan Char at the earliest.

While appreciating the persistent support of our international partners in humanitarian operations, the State Minister quoted the Prime Minister that the return of Rohingyas to their homeland was the only solution to the crisis and the solution lied with Myanmar.

He emphasised that all undertakings under the JRP or any other funding mechanisms should be implemented keeping this overarching objective in mind.

The State Minister underscored that the priority areas identified in the JRP must be aligned with the core objective of preparing the Rohingyas for their return.

Any project such as education or skill development should be designed and implemented in ways that would help Rohingyas integrate in their society upon their return to Myanmar.

The JRP has again brought together the efforts of the government of Bangladesh, and 134 UN agencies and NGO partners to continue the humanitarian assistance for the Rohingyas as well as the host community affected by the massive influx.

Participants from UN Agencies, different stakeholders, NGOs and Permanent Representatives of a number of donor countries participated at the event.

Besides, the Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration in the US State Department participated through a recorded statement informing that the US would make a contribution of US$ 155 million for the JRP 2021.

Many other donors announced their pledges while appreciating the generous role played by the government of Bangladesh, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Many speakers mentioned the relocation of the Rohingyas to the Bhasan Char and the need for further engagement of the United Nations and other stakeholders.