Bhasan Char
Focusing on repatriation; Bhasan Char temporary plan: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Monday said Bangladesh has been able to establish two things in the Joint Response Plan (JRP) -- focus on Rohingya repatriation as a solution and making sure that Rohingya relocation to Bhasan Char is a temporary arrangement until repatriation takes place.
“We could reestablish two things in this JRP -- one is repatriation while another one is that we didn’t allow it (Bhasan Char) to become a permanent mechanism,” he told a small group of journalists, including the UNB correspondent, at his office.
He said the Bhasan Char issue will be there in the 2021 Joint Response Plan (JRP) but the details will be known after its formal launching tomorrow (Tuesday).
Shahriar said additional funding will be sought once the relocation process at Bhasan Char is completed as the government has a plan to shift 100,000 Rohingyas there from Cox’s Bazar’s congested camps.
So far, around 20,000 Rohingyas have been relocated to Bhasan Char under the government arrangement, said the State Minister.
He said the technical committee and the major contributors of the JRP said positive things about Bhasan Char.
When the UN will formally take up the responsibility of Rohingyas at Bhasan Char, it will further be evaluated how much funding will be required. “The final decision will be given by the UN.”
Shahriar said Bangladesh is focusing on repatriation and Bhasan Char is a temporary arrangement though many tried to make it a permanent mechanism.
“We could reestablish two things in this JRP – one is repatriation while another one is that we didn’t allow it (Bhasan Char) to become a permanent mechanism,” he said.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller met State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
They exchanged views on number of global and bilateral issues, including the launching of the annual Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the humanitarian operations for displaced Rohingyas, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the COVID situation and vaccine issue.
“They’re trying so that a senior US official can virtually join the launching event from Washington,” Shahriar said, adding that it is the reflection of US’ continuous support towards Bangladesh on repatriation and rehabilitation of Rohingyas.
The US Ambassador informed that the US would again be the largest contributor to the JRP for Rohingyas, which will be virtually launched and will attended by State Minister Shariar Alam.
He also stated that the US would continue its support to Bangladesh in bearing the burden of the displaced population.
The State Minister emphasised that sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas remains as the priority of Bangladesh, and also emphasised receiving international support for the displaced Rohingyas relocated to Bhashan Char.
The US$943 million plan seeks to meet the needs of more than 880,000 Rohingya refugees and 472,000 Bangladeshis in the surrounding host communities in Cox’s Bazar district.
Most Rohingya refugees, some 740,000, fled violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in 2017.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has called for renewed international commitment, support and solidarity for Rohingyas ahead of next Tuesday’s donors’ conference.
The 2021 JRP brings together the efforts of the Government of Bangladesh, and 134 UN agencies and NGO partners to target almost 1.4 million people this year, said UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic in Geneva recently.
Jointly co-hosted by the Government of Bangladesh, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR, the virtual 2021 JRP launch event will highlight the most immediate needs and ongoing humanitarian response.
The virtual 2021 JRP launch event is scheduled to run from 10:00am to 12:00 pm CEST Geneva (2:00pm – 4:00pm GMT+6 in Dhaka; 3:00pm – 5:00pm GMT+7 in Bangkok) on Tuesday (May 18). The event will be live streamed.
Last year, the United Nations appealed for more than US$1 billion to meet the needs of the Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar District.
At the end of 2020, this appeal was just 59.4% funded.
"We stress that the international community must not only maintain support for refugees and their hosts, but also adapt to new and emerging needs and pursue the search for durable solutions," said the spokesperson.
More than 880,000 Rohingya refugees and 472,000 Bangladeshis in the surrounding host communities in Cox’s Bazar District are brought under the plan.
Also read: Miller discusses JRP, bilateral issues with Shahriar
Most Rohingya refugees, some 740,000, fled violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in 2017.
With the refugee crisis in its fourth year, Bangladesh needs robust and sustained international support to ensure the safety and wellbeing of stateless Rohingya refugees, said Mahecic.
This must not become a forgotten crisis. Both Rohingya refugees and Bangladesh, having generously hosted them for decades, must see the world standing with them, said the Spokesperson.
Adding to the complexity of this crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic has compounded vulnerabilities for refugees and host communities alike.
To date, the government of Bangladesh, with the support of the humanitarian community, has effectively managed the Covid-19 response and the spread of the disease in the Rohingya camps and surrounding areas, though the trajectory of the virus remains unpredictable, UNHCR said.
A coordinated and inclusive response has saved lives. However, it is critical to ensure the continued delivery of all humanitarian assistance and protection services.
The needs of Rohingya refugees reach beyond subsistence and physical safety. Refugees, like any other people, cannot be allowed to wait for years without access to education and options for a decent life and a meaningful future.
In order to mitigate the risks of people taking dangerous onward journeys, more must be done to ensure that refugees have hope in Bangladesh, and of a future back home in Myanmar.
Otherwise, they may increasingly risk such journeys by land or sea to find a solution elsewhere.
The search for durable solutions must remain focused on the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees to their homes in Myanmar, when conditions allow them to do so.
Also read: Ensure women’s participation in all peace initiatives: Shahriar
However, the ongoing crisis and political instability in Myanmar have added new layers of complexity to this challenge.
US may consider taking Rohingyas from Bangladesh: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said the United States may consider accepting a good number of forcibly-displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh for filling up a large portion of the new numbers set for 2021 and 2022.
Dr Momen appreciated US President Joe Biden’s recent announcement to enhance the admission of refugees to the US to 62,500 in 2021 and 125,000 in 2022.
He also expressed optimism that the US, as the largest humanitarian donor for the humanitarian operations for the forcibly displaced Rohingyas camped in Bangladesh, will continue to provide necessary assistance for Rohingyas, including those now settled in Bhasan Char.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R. Miller met the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday and discussed the issues.
No disagreement over Bhasan Char except few recommendations: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Wednesday said Bhasan Char is now a settled issue and hoped that international agencies will get engaged taking responsibility of Rohingyas in Bhasan Char, the way they are doing in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camps.
“Bhasan Char isn’t an issue now. It's resolved,” he said, mentioning that the UN team and diplomats who have visited the Bhasan Char did not raise any “disagreement” but there are a few recommendations.
Also read:2 years of Rohingya influx: 43 murders in camps, 32 killed in ...
As of now, the government of Bangladesh has relocated over 18,500 Rohingya to Bhasan Char in several phases out of a planned relocation of 100,000 Rohingyas.
“We’re managing their basic humanitarian needs from our own exchequer -- given that the UN is yet to commence their operation at the island,” said the State Minister while addressing a webinar as the chief guest.
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the webinar on “The Rohingya Crisis: Response of the International Community and the Repatriation Process”.
He said though Bangladesh is happy over the role of some friendly countries regarding the Rohingya issue but cannot express satisfaction over the position of other friendly countries.
“UN is talking about it repeatedly but nothing effective is happening,” Shahriar said, adding that some countries are not spending much time repatriating Rohingyas.
Also read: 1,700 more Rohingyas on their way to Bhashan Char
Bangladesh also spent over USD 350 million from its own budget to develop Bhasan Char with better infrastructures and amenities to relocate a portion of Rohingyas from the over-congested and disaster-prone camps in Cox’s Bazar.
The State Minister said the UN and other countries are yet to do what they were supposed to do towards Rohingya repatriation.
Al Jazeera report on Bhasan Char false; part of it has vindictive approach: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday trashed Al Jazeera’s latest report on Bhasan Char saying it is based on false information and part of its "vindictive approach" towards Muslim majority countries.
"They're doing it from day one. Their aim is to confuse people with false information," he told UNB.
The Foreign Minister said it is Al Jazeera's "vindictive approach" towards any Muslim government, specially against the countries which are doing well.
The Qatar-based media reported that aid agencies warned that with the cyclone season fast approaching, a group of Rohingya refugees on Bhashan Char could be stranded and face food shortages when severe storms strike.
The Foreign Minister said some people were interviewed in the report and their faces were covered.
Also read: Rohingyas want to return to Myanmar; happy with Bhasan Char facilities
"It's their job to run false news. So, nothing to say about it," said the Foreign Minister.
On the technical team’s observation on Bhasan Char, the Foreign Minister earlier told UNB that “They’ve a very good and positive observation. Concisely, they’ve given a positive observation.”
He said they will hand over a 10-page report based on their observation and they have already submitted a two-page synopsis.
An 18-member UN delegation visited Bhasan Char in March to take a first-hand view of the housing facility for 100,000 Rohingyas.
In their two-page synopsis, the team pointed out three points – education for Rohingya children, increasing height of the embankments and better communication system.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh has no problem in providing education to Rohingyas but it has to be in Myanmar language.
“Rohingyas will have to go back to Myanmar. So, education in Myanmar curriculum will help Rohingyas integrate in their society easily once they return to home,” he said.
Regarding further increasing the height of the embankments, Dr Momen said they will certainly do it for their own needs.
On communication, the Foreign Minister said they can go to Bhasan Char through Sandwip as it will take 30 minutes if they follow that route. “There’ll be no problem regarding communication with Bhasan Char.”
He said Bhasan Char is one of the 75 islands in Bangladesh and it is 10 times bigger than St Martin’s Island.
Also read: Bangladesh to demand 10pc of funds for Rohingyas in Bhasan Char: FM
Responding to a question on diplomats’ visit, Dr Momen said they expressed satisfaction seeing the arrangement there with solid structures. “They’ve appreciated the arrangement very much. They liked it.”
“I had a discussion with two diplomats. They have liked Bhasan Char,” said the Foreign Minister.
On April 3, the Rohingyas, now living in Bhasan Char, interacted with the foreign diplomats and expressed their willingness to return to their homeland in Myanmar.
They conveyed their "high satisfaction" over the existing facilities in Bhasan Char, which they considered safe, secured crime-free compared to the congested camps in Cox’s Bazar.
The Rohingyas profusely thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Government of Bangladesh for the exemplary humanitarian support that have been extended to the Rohingyas since the mass exodus.
“I want my children to grow with their own national identity in their own country,” a Rohingya representative was quoted as conveying to the diplomats who visited Bhasan Char.
Some Rohingyas underscored the need to expand learning facilities for children and provide them opportunities for farming and fishing which would help in keeping them active.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised the day-long trip to Bhasan Char for the Heads of Missions of ten Embassies/delegation - Turkey, EU, USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands.
The Rohingya relocation to Bhasan Char, which started from December 4 last year, is in alignment with the GOB’s overall efforts towards repatriation.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh will demand 10 percent of the fund that the humanitarian agencies raise in the name of Bangladesh and Rohingyas if they do not provide services to 100,000 Rohingyas to be shifted to Bhasan Char gradually.
“Yes, they’ll have to pay because the fund is coming for Rohingyas. We’ll demand 10 percent of the fund if they don’t want to provide services to Rohingyas in Bhasan Char,” he told UNB in an interview at his residence recently.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar district and the government has a plan to shift 100000 Rohingyas to Bhasan Char gradually which has already started.
Also read: AL Jazeera report ill-motivated: Army Chief
The Foreign Minister said it should not be the headache of the humanitarian agencies where Rohingyas are living.
“It’s not a matter whether Rohingyas are living in Kutupalong, Cox’s Bazar, Barishal or in Bhasan Char. That shouldn’t be their headache. Their headache should be providing services to Rohingyas. They’re obligated to give them services wherever they stay,” Dr Momen said.
If the humanitarian agencies do not provide services to Rohingyas, Member States will not give funds which will put them in hardship, he said.
The Foreign Minister said they do not know how the UNHCR and other agencies spend the money though they raise funds in the name of Rohingyas and host communities.
Bangladesh to demand 10pc of funds for Rohingyas in Bhasan Char: FM
Bangladesh will demand 10 percent of the funds that the humanitarian agencies raise in the name of Bangladesh and Rohingyas if they do not provide services to 100,000 Rohingyas to be shifted to Bhasan Char gradually, says Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.
“Yes, they’ll have to pay because the funds are coming for Rohingyas. We’ll demand 10 percent of the fund if they don’t want to provide services to Rohingyas in Bhasan Char,” he told UNB in an interview at his residence on Friday.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar district and the government has a plan to shift 100,000 Rohingyas to Bhasan Char gradually which has already started.
The Foreign Minister said it should not be the headache of the humanitarian agencies where Rohingyas are living.
Also read: Rohingyas want to return to Myanmar; happy with Bhasan Char facilities
“It’s not a matter whether Rohingyas are living in Kutupalong, Cox’s Bazar, Barishal or in Bhasan Char. That shouldn’t be their headache. Their headache should be providing services to Rohingyas. They’re obligated to give them services wherever they stay,” Dr Momen said.
If the humanitarian agencies do not provide services to Rohingyas, Member States will not give funds which will put them in hardship, he said.
The Foreign Minister said they do not know how the UNHCR and other agencies spend the money though they raise funds in the name of Rohingyas and host communities.
Responding to a question on the technical team’s observation on Bhasan Char, the Foreign Minister said, “They’ve a very good and positive observation. Concisely, they’ve given a positive observation.”
He said they will hand over a 10-page report based on their observations and they have already submitted a two-page synopsis.
An 18-member UN delegation visited Bhasan Char in March to have a firsthand view of the housing facility for 100,000 Rohingyas.
Also read: Japan announces $1 million emergency aid for Rohingya camp fire victims
In their two-page synopsis, the team pointed out three points – education for Rohingya children, increasing heights of the embankments and better communication system.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh has no problem in providing education to Rohingyas but it has to be in Myanmar language.
“Rohingyas will have to go back to Myanmar. So, education in Myanmar curriculum will help Rohingyas integrate in their society easily once they return home,” he said.
About further increasing the heights of the embankments, Dr Momen said they will certainly do it for their own needs.
Also read: UN agencies ramp up response for Rohingya refugees after ‘unprecedented’ fire
Rohingyas want to return to Myanmar; happy with Bhasan Char facilities
The Rohingyas, now living in Bhasan Char, on Saturday interacted with the foreign diplomats and expressed their willingness to return to their homeland in Myanmar.
They conveyed their "high satisfaction" over the existing facilities in Bhasan Char, which they considered safe, secured crime-free compared to the congested camps in Cox’s Bazar.
The Rohingyas profusely thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Government of Bangladesh for the exemplary humanitarian support that have been extended to them since the mass exodus.
“I want my children to grow with their own national identity in their own country,” a Rohingya representative was quoted as conveying to the diplomats who visited Bhasan Char on Saturday.
Some Rohingyas underscored the need to expand learning facilities for children and provide them opportunities for farming and fishing which would help in keeping them active.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised the day-long trip to Bhasan Char for the Heads of Missions of 10 Embassies/delegation - Turkey, the European Union (EU), the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands.
Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen, Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md. Mohsin, Secretary Maritime Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (Retd.) Md. Khurshed Alam, RRRC Shah Rezwan Hayat and other senior officials of the Government accompanied the team.
Rohingya relocation: 1,716 more going to Bhasan Char in 6th phase
More Rohingyas are being relocated to the Bhasan Char island in the sixth phase.
On the second day of the sixth phase, more than 1,700 Rohingyas were taken to Chattogram from the camps in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday.
Cox's Bazar Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Shamsuddauja Nayan said that 1,716 Rohingya men, women and children left for Chittagong on 25 buses in the morning and at noon.
Also read: Don’t worry about Rohingya relocation to Bhasan Char: Dhaka to UNHCR
Rohingyas willing to go to Bhasan Char were brought to the temporary transit point at Ukhiya Degree College ground and given necessary items including food, water and medicine.
They would be taken to Noakhali’s Bhasan Char from Chattogram’s Patenga under the Navy’s management.
Also read: Don't undermine, misinterpret genuine efforts: Dhaka on Rohingya relocation
Earlier, on March 30, the first day of the sixth phase, 2,495 Rohingyas reached Chattogram for Bhasan Char.
In five previous phases, over 14,000 Rohingyas were shifted to Bhasan Char from the camps in Cox's Bazar.
Rohingya relocation: 2,495 going to Bhasan Char in 6th phase
About 2,500 Rohingyas are being relocated from the camps in Cox’s Bazar to Bhasan Char island in the 6th phase.
Cox's Bazar Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Shah Rezwan Hayat said 47 buses carrying the Rohingyas have reached Chattogram.
Rohingyas willing to go to Bhasan Char were brought to the temporary transit point at Ukhiya Degree College ground and given necessary items including food, water and medicine.
Rohingya Majhis (leaders) said many forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals are now willing to move to Bhasan Char after learning about the facilities and quality of life there.
Also read: Rohingya relocation: 1,778 more heading towards Bhasan Char
Cox's Bazar Additional RRRC Shamsuddoza Nayan said the Rohingyas would be taken to Bhasan Char from Patenga under the Navy’s management on Wednesday.
In five phases, over 14,000 Rohingyas were shifted to Bhasan Char.
Bangladesh is currently hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Most of them came here since August 25, 2017 when the Myanmar military launched a brutal offensive targeting the mainly-Muslim ethnic minority.
Where is Bhasan Char?
It surfaced 20 years ago 34 kilometres off the mainland and was never inhabited.
Bangladesh spent millions of dollars to develop Bhasan Char and plans to relocate 100,000 Rohingyas there in phases in the face of growing concerns over the extreme congestion in Cox’s Bazar camps and to avert any untoward incident.
Also read: Don’t worry about Rohingya relocation to Bhasan Char: Dhaka to UNHCR
Contractors say the island’s infrastructure is like a modern township. A police station was also set up there recently.
Who are the Rohingyas?
The Rohingyas are one of the most persecuted minorities in the world.
Members of this ethnic minority are denied citizenship by Myanmar and many are forced to live in squalid camps in apartheid-like condition. State-sponsored discrimination against the Rohingyas stretches decades back.
Also read: Don't undermine, misinterpret genuine efforts: Dhaka on Rohingya relocation
Rohingya crisis and Bangladesh
Bangladesh has long been urging the global community to take effective steps to put pressure on Myanmar to create a congenial atmosphere for Rohingya repatriation but there has been little progress so far.
The presence of the huge number of Rohingya refugees in the coastal district has put them on a collision course with the locals. Many Rohingyas have allegedly got involved in various criminal activities.
International relief needed on Bhasan Char: IFRC
International support is needed to maintain humanitarian services for more than 13,000 people who have been relocated to Bhasan Char island from Cox’s Bazar, the IFRC said Monday.
This appeal follows an independent visit by representatives from the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to the river island.
It requested the Government of Bangladesh, humanitarian agencies and international donors to do everything possible to keep people displaced from Rakhine State safe and able to live with dignity, wherever they are located, including on Bhasan Char.
The team found that the Government of Bangladesh has made progress on Bhasan Char in terms of the development of infrastructure.
However, it also found urgent investment is needed to ensure that women and children are adequately protected, and that food security, health care and schooling is assured both in the short and longer-term.
While evacuation centres are in place to keep people safe from disasters, there remain concerns that the island could be exposed during the upcoming cyclone season and that systems are further strengthened to manage the potential isolation caused by storms.
Feroz Salah Uddin, Secretary General, Bangladesh Red Crescent, said, “After nearly four years of living in precarious camps in cramped conditions, many people are relocating to the island of Bhasan Char and we are providing a range of relief services at this critical time.
Also read: 6 lakh people in Rohingya camps “exposed” to cyclone risks: IFRC
“Bangladesh Red Crescent is working with authorities to deliver food packages, hygiene items, sanitation and health services to thousands of people on the island for the coming months.”
Sanjeev Kafley, Bangladesh Head of Delegation, IFRC, said with the cyclone season fast approaching, people on Bhasan Char could become stranded with a shortage of food when major storms strike, leaving the sea passage impassable, in turn denying the delivery of relief, medicines and other vital supplies.
“Everyone relocating must have access to all of the essentials for a healthy life, including nutritious food, hygiene items such as soap, along with health and medical care. Women and children must be afforded protection from violence and other risks.
Also read: 1,800 more Rohingyas moved to Bhasan Char
“People who are now living on Bhasan Char have been through so many hardships and they deserve opportunities for a fulfilling life, with opportunities to start new livelihoods and access to education and other activities,” Kafley said.
Rohingya repatriation: Bangladesh seeks Sri Lanka’s support
Bangladesh has sought Sri Lankan support to ensure repatriation of Rohingyas to their place of origin in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.