Rohingyas
Rohingyas want to return to Myanmar; happy with Bhasan Char facilities
The Rohingyas, now living in Bhasan Char, on Saturday interacted with the foreign diplomats and expressed their willingness to return to their homeland in Myanmar.
They conveyed their "high satisfaction" over the existing facilities in Bhasan Char, which they considered safe, secured crime-free compared to the congested camps in Cox’s Bazar.
The Rohingyas profusely thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Government of Bangladesh for the exemplary humanitarian support that have been extended to them since the mass exodus.
“I want my children to grow with their own national identity in their own country,” a Rohingya representative was quoted as conveying to the diplomats who visited Bhasan Char on Saturday.
Some Rohingyas underscored the need to expand learning facilities for children and provide them opportunities for farming and fishing which would help in keeping them active.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised the day-long trip to Bhasan Char for the Heads of Missions of 10 Embassies/delegation - Turkey, the European Union (EU), the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands.
Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen, Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md. Mohsin, Secretary Maritime Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (Retd.) Md. Khurshed Alam, RRRC Shah Rezwan Hayat and other senior officials of the Government accompanied the team.
Turkish aid for Rohingyas reaches Chattogram
A Turkish military cargo plane carrying hospital supplies and 13 volunteers arrived in Chattogram's Shah Amanat International Airport Friday for refugee camps in Cox's Bazar which shelters thousands of Rohingyas.
Wing Commander Farhad Hossain Khan, manager of Shah Amanat International Airport, confirmed this to UNB.
Also read: 3 Rohingyas killed in Ukhiya fire
Earlier, another Turkish military cargo plane carrying hospital supplies and a field hospital landed in Bangladesh following the March 22 deadly blaze in Cox's Bazar.
The fire swept through the Balukhali Rohingya camp in Ukhiya, killing at least 11 people.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Death toll climbs to 11
Also, it turned 9,300 shanties, 136 learning centres and a police barrack into ashes and displaced more than 45,000 people.
Aid agencies and the government had started rebuilding shelters after the large scale fire ripped through the camp last month.
Ground-level cooperation needed to check all border incidents: Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said ground-level cooperation is needed to check all those incidents happening along the India-Bangladesh border.
The Indian Prime Minister came up with the remark when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested him to look after the matter properly so that the sad border incidents could be reduced to a zero level.
The border incidents between the two neighbouring countries were discussed during the bilateral meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office.
PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
“Ground-level cooperation will help check this kind of incident,” PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted the Indian Prime Minister as saying.
Water sharing
Talking about the water-sharing of common rivers, including that of the Teesta River, Sheikh Hasina said the decision of signing the Teesta water-sharing treaty was taken jointly nine years back.
“But it’s yet to be implemented," she said adding that the people living in the vicinity of the Teesta River have been suffering a lot.
In reply, the Indian Prime Minister said, "We’re committed to a reasonable solution to sharing of water of all the rivers."
Regarding the Rohingya issue, Sheikh Hasina expected more active role of India regarding the repatriation of over one million Rohingyas.
She mentioned that the Rohingyas should be repatriated as soon as possible for preventing their involvement in drug business and terrorist activities. “The sooner the better,” she said.
Also read: Dhaka-Delhi to accelerate momentum; eye next 50 years diversified ties
In reply, Narendra Modi said Indian wants sustainable return of the refugees.
Thanks for vaccine
Sheikh Hasina thanked the Indian government for sending Covid-19 vaccine to Bangladesh and said this reflects India’s ‘neighbour first’ policy.
She said the first commercial consignment of Covid-19 vaccine has been used and hoped that the rest of the consignments will be delivered soon.
Sheikh Hasina also thanked the Indian Prime Minister for giving 1.2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine as gift.
The Indian Prime Minister said that his country gifted another consignment of 1.2 million Covid-19 vaccine and 109 life-saving ambulances.
Meaningful cooperation
Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh and India are the biggest producers and users countries. “So we must need to cooperate more meaningfully for this sector,” she said.
She invited foreign direct investment in state-run jute mills under the public-private partnership.
In this context, she said that indiscriminately anti-dumping duties imposition is creating unnecessary conflict between our cooperation.
She drew the attention of the Indian Prime Minister for quick solution.
The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh is keen to effectively use the Indian lines of credit. She put emphasis on axing ineffective projects from the list under the Indian line of credit.
Also read: Dhaka, Delhi ink five MoUs to boost cooperation
She asked her Indian counterpart to take steps to quickly disburse line of credit so that the projects could be implemented swiftly.
Modi put emphasis on increased contacts between entrepreneurs of the two countries.
The Indian prime minister also expressed his desire to be a partner to launch the Bangabandhu-2 satellite.
Enhanced connectivity
Sheikh Hasina said that the introduction of Moitree Setu between Bangladesh and India has added a new dimension to cooperation in the communication sector.
She said that Indian state Tripura can use Chattogram Airport alongside Chattogram and Mongla ports.
Stating some routes to connect Bangladesh with Nepal and Bhutan, Sheikh Hasina expected consideration from India.
She said that if the motor vehicles agreement among Bangladesh, India and Nepal is signed, all three countries will be benefitted.
Also read: Bangladesh, India for progress of whole world: Modi
Important milestone
They also reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries marking the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation, the Press Secretary said.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister termed 50 years of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and India as an important milestone.
Sheikh Hasina extended her thanks to Narendra Modi for accepting positively the proposal of Bangladesh for naming “Mujibnagar-Nadia Road” as Shadhinata Sharok.
During the meeting, the Indian Prime Minister put emphasis on expediting the ongoing projects between Bangladesh and India.
Besides, Narendra Modi said, India is going to establish “Bangabandhu Chair” at Delhi University in memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Rohingya camp fire: Humanitarian community calls for compassion
The humanitarian community has called for compassion for Rohingyas in Bangladesh as a massive fire ravaged through camps leaving thousands destitute.
"We’re calling for a show of compassion and solidarity towards the Rohingya refugee population during this very difficult time," the community said in a joint press statement on Tuesday night.
Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG) issued the joint press statement.
It said they are deeply concerned about the safety and wellbeing of tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh left destitute by the fire that raged through four camps on March 22.
Fire services and civil defence, emergency and response teams and aid agencies rushed to the areas affected by the fire and helped move refugees to safer locations, the statement reads.
"Tragically, reports from the camps indicate that at least 11 people are said to have lost their lives in the fire and more than 500 others have been injured. Around 400 people are unaccounted for," it said.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Death toll climbs to 11
The government authorities and aid agencies worked throughout the night to help those impacted and assess damages in the camps.
The refugees who fled the fires are taking shelter in various locations.
Many are staying with relatives or in learning and transit centres which are accommodating the most vulnerable people.
The government of Bangladesh and aid agencies are providing water, hot meals and high energy biscuits as well as emergency healthcare to those affected.
The fire consumed shelters and personal belongings of refugees as well as essential facilities such as hospitals, primary health facilities, learning centres, and women-friendly spaces in the camps.
"Teams on the ground say the scale and intensity of the fire is unlike anything seen before in the camps," the statement said.
Also read: Fire at Rohingya camp caused 'enormous devastation': UNICEF
Some 24 hours into the response, preliminary assessments by aid agencies have found that some 10,000 Rohingya refugee families (approximately 45,000 persons) were displaced and a similar number of shelters have been damaged or destroyed in the camps as a result of the fire. Assessments are still ongoing.
"As the humanitarian response continues, healthcare and mental health support is being provided to those who’ve been injured or experienced stress as well as first line responders."
Moving forward, it said, the priority will be to reunite families and children who were separated during the fire and the subsequent movements to safe places, as well as to identify and support persons with specific needs, such as older persons, pregnant women and persons with disabilities.
Aid agencies are also monitoring the safety conditions of refugees to mitigate risks, as they remain vulnerable to incidents of theft, harassment, and exploitation.
Another priority for authorities and humanitarian actors will be to replace the key documentation that Rohingya refugees lost in the fire, it said.
Rescue efforts proved to be challenging as a result of the presence of perimeter fencing. In some instances, refugees themselves cut through the fence to escape the fire.
Also read: Fire breaks out at Rohingya camp in Ukhiya
Limited mobile connectivity in the camps also hampered the ability of refugees to call for immediate assistance and contact their families, the statement said.
"It also continues to limit the coordination of the aid response."
Refugee volunteers are playing an invaluable role in the response.
They are the first responders, helping people to safety, supporting fire response efforts and continue to work to support aid efforts on the ground.
The humanitarian community is urging the public to respect privacy of those Rohingya refugee families who have either lost family members or have been impacted by fires.
FM calls on global support for safe return of Rohingyas
Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen on Sunday requested the international community to meaningfully commit to the Rohingya refugees’ voluntary repatriation to Myanmar by helping create an environment conducive to their safe and dignified return.
Saudi Arabia won't send back Rohingyas to Bangladesh: Shahriar
The Saudi government did not say that the Rohingyas, living in Saudi Arabia, will be sent back to Bangladesh, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Wednesday.
Rohingya-Relocation 5th phase relocation: 1070 Rohingyas sail for Bhashanchar
As part of the government plan to relocate Rohingyas to Bhashanchar in Noakhali from Cox’s Bazar, some 1,070 Rohingyas are being taken to the island on Wednesday.
OIC happy with facilities in Bhasan Char for Rohingyas
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed satisfaction at the physical infrastructure in Bhasan Char as well as the adequate facilities provided by the Bangladesh government for Rohingyas.