The United Nations will provide humanitarian assistance to displaced Myanmar nationals (Rohingya) in Bhasanchar just like they have been doing so in Cox's Bazar. To this end, the authorities concerned signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Mohammad Mohsin and UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh Johannes van der Klaauw signed the agreement for their respective side held at the secretariat office in the capital on Saturday.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman was the chief guest while Special guest was Parliamentary Standing Committee on Disaster Management and Relief Chairman AB Tajul Islam.
The State Minister said, “The United Nations has been providing aid to Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar. We are grateful to them. We have relocated the Rohingyas to Bhasanchar. Various NGOs are meeting the needs of Rohingyas there. The UN has made a good decision at the right time. I think it will help the Bangladesh government in Bhasanchar to continue providing humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya. It's a great relief for us.”
“I think after this agreement, the UN will take the responsibility of providing humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas in Bhasanchar,” said the state minister.
The secretary said, “Humanitarian assistance will be given in Bhasanchar under the supervision of the civil administration. In a joint venture between the Bangladesh and UNHCR, FDMN (Forcibly Displaced Myanmar National) will be provided with food and nutrition, potable water, sanitation, medicine, education as per Myanmar curriculum and informal education and livelihoods.”
He added, “We will take care of the safety of the Rohingya living here and the working UN and its allies and local and international NGO workers. In addition, the UN agencies will take necessary steps to address the impact of the FDMN's presence in Bhasanchar on the surrounding local areas and people.”
“We hope to be able to relocate another 80,000 Myanmar nationals to Bhasanchar in the next three months, between November, December and January. The government is taking care of the 18,000 people there with the help of NGOs. We are doing this with the help of local and international NGOs,” he further added.
The representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bangladesh said, “The MoU will help to provide humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya on the island (Bhasanchar). In Bhasanchar, as in Cox's Bazar, the UN will work to meet the urgent needs of the Rohingya.”
Foreign Affairs, Public Security Department, NSI and UN Resident Coordinator (Interim) Bangladesh Tomu Patianen, WFP Country Director Richard Reagan and representatives of relevant agencies were also present.