Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday termed Myanmar’s recent mortar shelling inside Bangladesh “unintentional mistake”. He said this while addressing a press conference — on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s itinerary at the 77th UNGA — at Hotel Lotte in New York.  The foreign minister said Myanmar authorities informed them that they are not shelling, targeting Bangladesh. Read Myanmar claims mortar shells fired by Arakan Army, ARSA on its border forces landed in Bangladesh “That particular border area is very crisscrossed. Sometimes it is difficult to understand the border…for that reason, they are not shelling inside our border intentionally,” Momen said. One or two mortar shells that landed inside the Bangladesh border were dropped by mistake, he said. He also said that Bangladesh foreign ministry summoned the Myanmar ambassador and the Myanmar authority promised that they will remain cautious. Momen said Bangladesh has sealed the entire border and will not allow any more Rohingyas cross into the country. Read Malaysian foreign minister, int’l lawmakers demand decisive action on Myanmar He also mentioned that some Rohingyas went to the China area as they did not dare to come to the Bangladesh side. He hoped that the displaced Rohingyas, who are staying in Bangladesh, would return to their homeland. The foreign minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her call to the international community and the United Nations to play a more active role in repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their motherland Myanmar. Read Tension at Bangladesh-Myanmar border: Govt plans to evacuate 300 families She made the call while UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi paid a courtesy call on her in New York. Sheikh Hasina also emphasized enhancing UNHCR's activities in Myanmar for solving the Rohingya issue. In response, Filippo Grandi said he would visit Myanmar soon. Read BGB, Coast Guard asked to remain alert with “reinforcement”, if needed The PM reiterated that the Rohingya crisis can only be resolved by repatriating them to Myanmar.  The UNHCR High Commissioner also agreed with her on this matter. During the meeting, they discussed in detail the present operations of UNHCR to help Rohingyas who took shelter in Cox's Bazar and Bhashanchar in Bangladesh. Read BNP urges global community to act against Myanmar's insolent activities Later, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC)  Karim A A Khan QC also called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They discussed various aspects of cooperation between Bangladesh and the ICC. The  Premier has assured the ICC Prosecutor that Bangladesh will continue to cooperate with all ongoing efforts at the ICC to ensure justice and accountability for the Rohingya victims of torture in Myanmar. Read Do more to cut Myanmar military's revenue, arms supply: UN to countries ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan has expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh again early next year. Executive Director of the UN-Habitat Maimunah Mohd Sharif paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as well. In this meeting, the steps for sustainable urbanisation taken by the Bangladesh government and areas of future cooperation were discussed. Read Bangladesh-Myanmar border tension: ASEAN envoys to relay Dhaka's concerns In this connection, the Prime Minister informed him about the success of the Ashrayan Project undertaken by the Government of Bangladesh for the landless and homeless people.

Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, arrived in Dhaka on Saturday on a five-day visit to discuss the needs of the Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Grandi last visited Bangladesh in March 2019. Grandi will meet with representatives of the government of Bangladesh to discuss the ongoing response for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.  He will also highlight the need for sustained international support when meeting with key donors and partners who support the humanitarian response in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, said the UN refugee agency on Saturday.  READ: No winners in war but countless lives to be torn apart: UNHCR During his visit to the camps and to Bhasan Char, Grandi will meet with Rohingya refugees to discuss their  needs, challenges and hopes for the future. Grandi is accompanied on his visit by Indrika Ratwatte, UNHCR’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, and Herve de Villeroche, Senior Advisor to the High Commissioner.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has said there are no winners in war but countless lives will be torn apart. "We are gravely concerned about the fast-deteriorating situation and ongoing military action in Ukraine," Grandi said in a statement, adding that the humanitarian consequences on civilian populations will be devastating. He said they have already seen reports of casualties and people starting to flee their homes to seek safety. "Civilian lives and civilian infrastructure must be protected and safeguarded at all times, in line with International Humanitarian Law." Also read: Russia attacks Ukraine, ‘shattering’ European peace UNHCR is working with the authorities, UN and other partners in Ukraine and is ready to provide humanitarian assistance wherever necessary and possible. "To that effect, security and access for humanitarian efforts must be guaranteed," said. Grandi UNHCR is also working with governments in neighbouring countries, calling on them to keep borders open to those seeking safety and protection. "We stand ready to support efforts by all to respond to any situation of forced displacement," he said. Accordingly, Grandi said, they have stepped up their operations and capacity in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Also read: Russia-Ukraine: What to know as Russia attacks Ukraine "We remain firmly committed to support all affected populations in Ukraine and countries in the region," he said.

The World Refugee Day, which observed on June 20, should serve as a stark reminder to politicians of the need to do more to prevent and resolve conflict and crises and of the imperative to protect people irrespective of their race, nationality, beliefs or other characteristics, of the need to speak out and fight injustice, instead of fueling division and fomenting hate and to resolve to find pragmatic and lasting solutions to crises instead of blaming others or vilifying victims, said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi in a message ahead of the World Refugee Day. ''Two days ago, we announced that an unprecedented number of people have been forced to flee their homes. More than 82.4 million men, women and children have had their worlds turned upside down by war, violence and persecution. While the rest of us spent much of the last year at home to stay safe, they had to run from their homes just to stay alive.'' ''And as world leaders are seemingly unable or unwilling to make peace, more and more displaced people pay the price. In the past three years alone, some one million children were born into a life of exile. What will their futures hold? What opportunities will they have to achieve their potential?,'' Grandi asked. Also read: Bangladesh observes World Refugee Day highlighting refugees' rights Simply put, he noted, leaders need to step up and work together to solve today’s global challenges. ''Yet World Refugee Day is also an opportunity to celebrate the fortitude of refugees. Those who have been stripped of everything and yet carry on, often bearing the visible and invisible wounds of war, persecution, and the anxiety of exile,'' he added. Also read: UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Tahsan visits Cox's Bazar Rohingya camps ''Over the past several months, a time dominated by the pandemic, we have seen that refugees – while needing, deserving, and having the right to international protection, safety, and support – also give back to each other and to their host communities.'' ''When given the chance, they have run to the front lines of the COVID-19 response as doctors, nurses, cleaners, aid workers, care givers, shopkeepers, educators, and many other roles, providing essential services as we collectively battled the virus. We have seen them and their hosts selflessly share meagre resources and help lift those in the greatest of need,'' he further added. Also read: Myanmar refugee crisis brewing as turmoil hits economy ''Next month, we will see them in another arena demonstrating what can be achieved if included in society and given the same opportunities as the rest of us: refugee athletes will approach the starting line as they compete with the world’s best in the Tokyo Olympics,'' he continued. ''So on World Refugee Day, as we pause to express solidarity with refugees in our communities and around the world, I hope each of us will also acknowledge and admire the drive, determination, and contributions made by people forced to flee. My colleagues and I have the privilege of witnessing their tenacity and achievement every day, which - especially today – should be a source of inspiration for everyone, everywhere,'' he concluded. Also read: Fleeing coup, Myanmar refugees in India seek asylum World Refugee Day is observed every year on June 20 to respect and honour the courage and resilience of refugees across the world. The unprecedented and prolonged coronavirus pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of refugees who hardly have any resources to fight the health and economic crisis. This year's World Refugee Day theme - together we heal, learn and shine - aims at people belonging to all faiths, all over the world, working together to welcome stateless persons, displaced people, refugees and others who have been forced to flee their homes.

The global forced displacement has surpassed 80 million by mid-2020, although the full picture for the year is yet to be established, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said in a report released Wednesday in Geneva.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, on Tuesday detailed a series of measures it is taking in its field operations to help respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and prevent further spread.