UN, UNHCR, WB chiefs arrive in Cox's Bazar to meet Rohingyas

FT ONLINE

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim arrived in Cox’s Bazar on Monday morning to visit Rohingya communities and humanitarian workers in the district to advocate for increased donor support.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, among others, are accompanying the UN chief.

They arrived at Cox's Bazar airport by a special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines at 8:45am.

The visit will highlight the “generosity” of Bangladesh in hosting the Rohingyas as well as the need for the international community “to do more.”

They will review the situation of the newly arrived Rohingyas in Bangladesh, and assess progress towards a safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees, in line with international standards, according to UN officials.

The visit also aims to lay the groundwork for further dialogue with the government of Bangladesh on medium-term planning for the refugee situation and to reiterate the UN and the World Bank’s support for finding comprehensive solutions to the situation of the Rohingya people, said the UN.

Ahead of the Rohingya camp visit, WB President Kim on Sunday said, “We’re all extremely concerned about the situation of Rohingyas.”

Appreciating Bangladesh’s generous support, the visiting World Bank President insisted that generous humane countries that support refugees should not be punished.

Minister Muhith said it is a critical hour for the nation with a big burden to share.

He said Bangladesh certainly wants Rohingyas to go back to their country from Bangladesh with dignity and safety. “That is what we want.”

Terming the situation a humanitarian tragedy, the WB chief said they need to move on this to make sure that the issue is addressed in a peaceful way, UNB reported.

Since August last year, more than 700,000 Rohingyas have taken shelter from violence in Myanmar in the Cox’s Bazar district, making it the world’s largest and fastest growing refugee camp, and putting pressure on the environment, existing infrastructure, and social services that were already constrained.