UN officials urge continuing support for Rohingyas in Bangladesh
Three top UN officials vowed to continue to work for a safe and sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis on Friday.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock; Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Antonio Vitorino; and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi also urged the international community to continue supporting the Rohingyas and their host communities in Bangladesh, UNB reports.
They made the call at the end of a joint visit to Bangladesh.
The South Asian country is currently hosting 1.2 million Rohingyas who have fled from Myanmar to save their lives. Providing food and shelter to these Rohingyas have been a big challenge for Bangladesh, which is already one of the most densely-populated countries.
After visiting refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, the UN officials emphasied supporting the Rohingyas by extending opportunities for learning and skills training.
Grandi said it "remains one of the world's biggest refugee crises". He said there had been a great deal of progress, but the situation for women and children was still fragile.
"We must give refugees the chance to learn, build skills and contribute to their communities while also preparing for reintegration when they can return to Myanmar," he said. "The future of the Rohingya refugees hangs in the balance."
IOM DG Vitorino said the young Rohingyas, who make up most of the refugees, were in need of hope and opportunities if they are to build successful lives upon their return to Myanmar.
He said they were concerned for the refugees as well as the host communities.
"A wise, far-sighted approach would see a stronger focus on helping the refugees not just recover from the horrors they have experienced, but also to prepare for a dignified longer-term future," Lowcock said.
