Make Rohingya camps liveable

Janet Lim

The Dhaka office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is under pressure from its headquarters in Geneva to improve the living standard in Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar as overall situation has deteriorated there.

"I am concerned over some regards. The overall situation in the camps, including sanitation, health and education, has worsened," said Janet Lim, director of UNHCR Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star.

The UN body has an agreement with the Bangladesh government that seeks to meet the basic needs of Rohingya refugees in the camps. Generally renewed every year, the agreement for this year is, however, yet to be signed because of some differences of opinion between the government and the UNHCR.

"The deal this year is being delayed because various issues have not been finalised," she said, adding that the UNHCR has set a timeframe and told the government that it cannot wait for long.

"We are discussing with the government about how to improve the standard [at the Rohingya camps] as we see the government as our partner," said Lim during her stay in Dhaka on Sunday.

Without making any specific allegation, she said it is essential to make clear what amount of money was spent for what.

The government is paid the cost for administration and services delivered to the refugees but the amount should not be more than what is spent for the refugees, Lim said. The money and the number of people working in the camps have to be proportionate, she noted.

"We are also accountable to the donors. We assess the need every year and look for funds from the donors. Sometimes we get enough funds, sometimes we do not get what we want. But we have been able to ensure all basic needs and they were not left without anything," she explained.

"You have very complex bureaucratic system. When we deal with something, the problem goes from one place to another," she remarked, adding that the situation here needs to be corrected.

Planning to wrap up the Cox's Bazar camps soon, Lim termed the Rohingya issue "a success story" as 2,30,000 people out of 2,50,000 have already returned to Myanmar.

"It is a pity that the remaining 20,000 people are still in the camps and it is worrying for us as the international community cannot keep funding for years," she said.

Lim said lingering refugees are there all over the world and the issue is a priority for the UNHCR. "A lot of efforts are going on in Myanmar to improve the situation there and encourage the refugees to go back.

"We need to try and continue assistance so that they can return to their normal lives. Our objective is that the refugees find solution and the camp is closed. But as per our principle, the return must be voluntary and you cannot force people to leave," she said.

On return, the refugees need some assistance for livelihood, safety and a whole variety of reasons, she said, adding that it is the responsibility of every country to contribute to the solutions to such situation.

Lim pointed out that due to misconceptions refugees are often held responsible for various problems. But one should not generalise the matter, she said, adding that those who are involved in crimes should be dealt with through due process.

"We have to start looking at the conclusion of this success story," Lim said. "Returning to one's own country is one option, but there is always a possibility of going to another country to be in another refugee situation."