Repatriation is a slow and difficult process
Red Cross chief says on Rohingya crisis
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Head of Delegation in Bangladesh, Ikhtiyar Aslanov has said that despite some countries' efforts in building infrastructure in Northern Rakhine state, there has been little progress for voluntary and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh.
Briefing reporters at ICRC Banani office yesterday, he said the organisation will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees, but he does not know when repatriation may start.
“Just building houses in Rakhine is not the solution,” he said, adding “Just imagine that you have a beautiful house but your neighbour is dangerous, so you are not safe and can't live in peace.”
Ikhtiyar said there are serious doubts about creating a conducive environment in Myanmar, since there is no initiative to encourage peaceful co-existence among different ethnic communities.
“Displacement happened rapidly but repatriation is a slow and difficult process. Crisis happens easily but solution is complex,” Ikhtiyar Aslanov said in response to a question about creating a timetable to begin repatriation.
About ICRC's 2019 programme schedule in Bangladesh, Ikhtiyar Aslanov said his organisation will continue to assist displaced people from Myanmar, and host communities in Cox's Bazar and CHT.