Idle time may frustrate Rohingyas, lead to unwanted situations

Associate Professor Touhidul Islam of DU's peace and conflict studies department said scope must be created for Rohingyas in the new shelter to involve themselves in income-generating activities.

The department and Central Foundation for International and Strategic Studies (CFISS) conducted the research titled "From Cox's Bazar to Bhasan Char: A Step Forward Towards Sustainable Livelihood Options for the Rohingyas".

The findings were disclosed during a seminar on "Relocation of the Rohingya Displaced People from Cox's Bazar to Bhasan Char: Opportunities and Challenges" at DU's Nabab Nawab Ali Senate Bhaban.

Touhidul, a research team member, said healing Rohingya people's psychological trauma is important, as they have been traumatised since facing persecution in their homeland.

Mentioning that relocation of Rohingyas to Bhasan Char is temporary, he said there must be a plan for Rohingyas to go back to their country. He stressed for bilateral processes to continue, and engagement of regional actors and international communities in the repatriation process.

The research was conducted both in Bhasan Char and camps of Cox's Bazar in two phases from November to December last year.

According to the report, shelter in Bhasan Char for the displaced Rohingyas is safer than in Cox's Bazar camps, as "all modern facilities, income-generating opportunities, and heightened security systems have been ensured" on the island. To make livelihood in Bhasan Char sustainable, the report recommended few steps, including preservation of rainwater and its use in daily life.

It also recommended creating small and cottage industries and ensuring education of Rohingya children in their mother language.

Addressing the seminar, international relations expert Prof Delwar Hossain said understanding the geopolitical context of the Bay of Bengal, where there is a "scramble for influence", is important to understand the Rohingya situation. It is also important to understand the situation in Myanmar in terms of their repatriation.

He said Cox's Bazar has become a congested area, where Rohingyas were living in destitute condition. It is clear that living conditions in Bhasan Char is much better compared to situation not only in Cox's Bazar but in cities of many other countries.

The reported challenge Bangladesh faced regarding relocation is "misinformation", he said.

There is a huge information gap among Bangladeshis and among global citizens when it comes to seeing the reality, he further said, adding that since Rohingyas are not well educated and informed, they could be used by different organised groups in Cox's Bazar.

Addressing as chief guest, DU Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof ASM Maksud Kamal said international communities need to put pressure on Myanmar and its junta for repatriation.

Prof Maksud, also a noted geologist, said from recent studies it was found that deposition phenomena of sedimentation in Bhasan Char was more stable than erosion phenomena. The island is a safer place for Rohingyas.

As per geological conditions, Bhasan Char is a stable area, since the island is still having sedimentation, said Prof Zillur Rahman of DU's disaster science and management department. More engineering measures should be taken to keep the island stable.

CFISS Chairperson Commodore (retd) MN Absar said misconceptions and negative propaganda were spread regarding Bhasan Char in terms of its sustainability to accommodate Rohingyas.

Prof Rafiqul Islam, lead researcher and chairperson of DU's peace and conflict studies department, and Prof Sadeka Halim, dean of DU's social science faculty, also spoke at the seminar.