US to continue support to mitigate environmental losses: envoy

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller yesterday assured Bangladesh of continuing his country's support to address the losses Bangladesh incurred on the environmental front due to the huge presence of Rohingyas in the coastal district.

The newly appointed US Ambassador also laid emphasis on creating conditions for the safe and voluntary return of Rohingyas in a dignified manner with their basic rights in place, on the first day of his three-day visit to Cox's Bazar.

“US position is that we want a repatriation process that's safe, dignified and voluntary…that remains our position,” Miller told reporters after visiting the Rohingya camp in Balukhali area of Ukhia upazila.

He said it was up to Myanmar to create those conditions on the ground.

Miller said the US government would continue to support both the Rohingyas and the host communities.

The US envoy said it was the “incredible generosity” of the people of Bangladesh and the government as they had opened their hearts and border to these people who were “forcibly” relocated to Bangladesh from Myanmar.

In the afternoon, he visited Rohingyas living on the zero line near Bandarban and talked to Rohingya leaders there. He also visited the Balukhali transit camp, Kutupalong camp and observed activities run by the USAID there.

Miller also talked to Rohingyas and officials of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).