Act on Rakhine state conditions for Rohingya return
Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh has reiterated its call for the sustainable repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas, emphasising that it remains the only viable solution to the protracted crisis affecting both the country and its regional neighbours.
This observation was highlighted during the 46th meeting of the National Taskforce on Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 24 December, according to a press release issued by the ministry on Saturday.
The session, chaired by Foreign Secretary Md. Jasim Uddin, was attended by senior representatives from the United Nations, the World Bank, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, as well as officials from various ministries, departments, and organisations.
The meeting addressed a range of pressing issues related to the large-scale displacement of Myanmar nationals, primarily residing in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
Key topics included ongoing challenges within the refugee camps, particularly concerning infrastructure, electricity, healthcare, and family planning services.
Discussions also centred on funding requirements for both the Rohingya refugees and the local host communities, with international organisations such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank being identified as potential contributors.
A significant point of concern was the growing impact of the Rohingya population’s prolonged presence in Bangladesh. The meeting underscored the strain on local resources and services, alongside emerging security challenges.
Special attention was drawn to the security situation in and around the camps, where tensions and disruptions have adversely affected both refugees and local residents.
One of the most critical issues raised was the management of new arrivals from Myanmar. The foreign ministry reported that at least 60,000 new Rohingya refugees have entered Bangladesh over the past two months due to escalating violence in Rakhine State.
The meeting expressed deep concern about the increasingly complex nature of the crisis as more displaced individuals continue to cross the border, intensifying the already severe humanitarian situation.
In his closing remarks, Foreign Secretary Jasim Uddin stressed that the only lasting solution lies in the sustainable repatriation of the displaced Myanmar nationals to their homeland.
“Repatriation is the only viable solution,” he stated, urging all stakeholders to take coordinated and effective steps to facilitate this process.
The meeting also called on the United Nations and the international community to provide the necessary humanitarian funding to support ongoing efforts to assist the displaced population.
Representatives from the UN shared updates on their initiatives in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, aimed at creating safer conditions for repatriation.
In light of the evolving crisis, the meeting urged the UN to undertake more comprehensive and coordinated actions to improve the situation in Rakhine State, ensuring a secure and conducive environment for the eventual repatriation of displaced Myanmar nationals.
Bangladesh remains committed to collaborating with the international community to find a durable and sustainable solution to the plight of the Rohingya people.
Recently, senior representatives from Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand convened in Bangkok to discuss the Rohingya crisis, which is now affecting neighbouring countries due to the scale of displacement.
At the meeting, Bangladesh called upon ASEAN and other key actors to take a proactive role in fostering lasting peace, stability, security, and democracy in Myanmar for the benefit of regional security and development.
“Bangladesh has every interest in seeing lasting peace, stability, and democracy in Myanmar, as well as a conducive environment in Rakhine State, so the Rohingya can confidently return in safety and dignity,” stated Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain at the meeting.
