Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin on Thursday highlighted the negative impacts on the host community caused due to prolonged stay of the displaced Rohingya community in Cox’s Bazar, including rise of crimes like drug smuggling and human trafficking.

During his meeting with  the outgoing Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bangladesh Sumbul Rizvi, the Foreign Secretary reiterated that repatriation of the Rohingyas is the only viable solution to the crisis.

He recalled the recent visits of the UN Secretary General and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to the Rohingya Camps in Cox’s Bazar.

Sumbul Rizvi had the farewell meeting with the Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Foreign Secretary congratulated the UNHCR Representative on her successful tenure in Bangladesh and appreciated her efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya population sheltered in Bangladesh.

Citing their longstanding partnership with Bangladesh, the Country Representative assured the Foreign Secretary of continued support from UNHCR.

Both sides also exchanged their views on the current situation in the Rakhine State, and the upcoming High-level Conference on the Rohingya Crisis.

The UNHCR Representative expressed her gratitude to the Foreign Secretary for the cordial cooperation throughout her tenure.

The Foreign Secretary wished her good health and continued success in the next phase of her life.