Rohingya Crisis: No long-term solution sans stopping violence
Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Johan Frisell has said it is clear that no long-term solution to the Rohingya crisis can be found unless violence in Rakhine state of Myanmar comes to an end.
"The humanitarian situation is serious for the newly arrived refugees. With the impressing efforts by different agencies and organisations, we hope that the needs will be met," he said yesterday.
Three Nordic ambassadors to Bangladesh -- Johan Frisell, Denmark's Mikael Winther and Norway's Sidsel Bleken -- visited Cox's Bazar on January 15-17.
The purpose of the visit was to gain a better understanding of the humanitarian situation for official and undocumented Rohingya refugees, and to meet with UN agencies, NGOs and local authorities.
The recent influx of Rohingyas from northern Rakhine state of Myanmar was a special focus of the visit. The extensive three-day programme included visits to Leda makeshift camp and Nayapara Registered Camp as well as the camps in Kutupalong.
Frisell said this visit shed light on the complex challenges of the refugee situation in the Cox's Bazar. "I appreciate the efforts that the government of Bangladesh is undertaking to address the situation. Sweden is contributing through support to UNHCR and IOM. We have recently entered into a cooperation with the NGO "Action contre la Faim" in support of their nutrition programme."
Norway's envoy Bleken said, "I'm impressed how the government of Bangladesh and humanitarian organisations have handled the current influx of more than 65,000 Rohingyas escaping atrocities and violence in Myanmar."
"My impression after our visit to Cox's Bazar is that the Rohingyas have a desire to return to the Rakhine state, rebuild their houses and get back to work as soon as possible," Bleken added.
Denmark's envoy Winther said, "I recognise the big burden that is put on Bangladesh with the large number of Rohingya refugees. It affects the local population and it affects Bangladesh's security."
"From a humanitarian point of view, it's important that all vulnerable Rohingyas have access to basic social services -- irrespective of their legal status."
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