Bangladesh PM: We are on the verge of a crisis over providing aid to Rohingyas

[Banglar Bir]

Bangladesh PM: We are on the verge of a crisis over providing aid to Rohingyas
Agencies
Published at 07:16 PM November 15, 2017
Last updated at 08:21 AM November 16, 2017

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks at a session in parliament on November 15, 2017
Focus Bangla
The Rohingya crisis in Myanmar's Rakhine state has turned complex in the last few months due to the military crackdown and violence, said the prime minister
Bangladesh is on the verge of an unprecedented crisis over providing humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees staying in the country’s south-east region, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday.

“The present situation is worse than any other time in the past,” she said in response to a question by Moulvibazar 2 lawmaker M Abdul Matin during the prime minister’s question and answer session in parliament, reported UNB.

She further said the Rohingya crisis in the Rakhine state in Myanmar had turned complex in the last few months due to the military crackdown and violence.

However, she expressed firm conviction that, despite the obstacles, her government would be able to resolve the Rohingya crisis peacefully with the help of the international community, BSS reported.

The government will also take steps for rehabilitation of the residents of Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas in Cox’s Bazar who lost their livelihood due to the latest influx of Rohingyas in their localities, the prime minister added.

She said Bangladesh had successfully gotten the support of the international community for the repatriation of the Rohingya people back to their homeland – the Rakhine state.

“The global community stands beside Bangladesh for the generosity that we have shown to the displaced people, welcoming our steps taken to provide them with shelter,” she said at parliament.

Hasina said the international community was working together for repatriation of the Myanmar nationals to their country.

Replying to a supplementary question from Cox’s Bazar lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi, the prime minister said the Rohingya influx had caused substantial damage to the environment of the region the camps are located in, as well as the livelihood of local people.

Therefore, the government has decided to provide food support as well as new occupational opportunities to the local people, she added.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2017/11/15/bangladesh-facing-crisis-rohingya/

 

[Banglar Bir]

How far will the Rohingya goodwill carry the Awami League?
Fazlur Rahman Raju
Published at 02:02 AM November 16, 2017

The prime minister while visiting Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp on September 12 BSS
'Sheikh Hasina’s stance on the Rohingya crisis has improved Bangladesh’s image around the world'
Ruling party members believe the widespread acclaim given to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over her support for the Rohingya will translate into votes at the next parliamentary election.

The Awami League top brass feel their party has won immense support from different quarters at home and abroad, even though they have several times pointed out that they are not looking to take advantage of the crisis to win the polls, which are due by early 2019.

“The international community and the country’s people have praised the prime minister and Awami League for our stance on the Rohingya people,” Abdur Rahman, the party’s joint general secretary, told the Dhaka Tribune. “It will help Awami League in the next election.”

The Relief and Social Welfare Secretary, Sujit Roy Nandi, has frequently visited Rohingya camps and distributed relief on behalf of the party. He said people from all walks of life in Bangladesh have taken the Awami League’s position on the Rohingya “very positively”.

“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League’s stance on the Rohingya people has impressed the world,” he said.

“The prime minister is now being praised as the ‘mother of humanity’. It has boosted Awami League’s popularity (and) people will keep this in mind while casting votes in the next election.”

As part of its diplomatic manoeuvres to resolve the protracted crisis, the Awami League government has reinforced its ties with leaders of such countries as China, India and Russia.

Some senior Awami League leaders have also claimed that Bangladesh was instrumental in persuading India into changing its stance on the issue.

“Sheikh Hasina’s stance on the Rohingya crisis has improved Bangladesh’s image around the world,” Awami League presidium member Pijush Kanti Bhattacharya said.

Though Awami League leaders are apparently thrilled with the development, political analysts said it is too early to comment on how the Rohingya issue will help the Awami League in the next polls.

“The election is one year away (and) we don’t know what will happen by then,” Veteran journalist and political commentator, Afsan Chowdhury, said. “If the problem deteriorates, there would be some negative effects on the Awami League. However, it’s too early to say how the crisis will impact the polls.”

Dhaka University teacher Shantanu Majumder said that despite appearing “confused” in its response at the beginning, the Awami League was later able to pursue a “strict and clear” position over the crisis.

“The decision of the party to stand beside the Rohingya Muslims has been a resounding success because it left no scope for religion-based parties to use the crisis to whip up religious frenzy for their own political interest,” he said.

“That deserves praise (but) I don’t know to what extent the policy Awami League pursues will benefit it during the polls.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the Awami League is playing politics with the Rohingya people.

“AL does not sympathise with the Rohingya people. They are trying to use them for their political interest. As part of this politicisation, the AL barred BNP from providing relief to the Rohingya people,” he said.

However, Muhammad Zamir, a former ambassador who is also an Awami League advisor, said there was nothing political in the ruling party’s position on the Rohingya issue.

“The Rohingya crisis is entirely a humanitarian issue (and) humanity should come first,” he said. “Bangladesh and the Awami League government took the crisis as an issue of humanity and lent their support to the Rohingya accordingly.”

People on the streets appear to concur.

Mamun, a tea seller, said he had been impressed by PM Hasina’s “humane position” on the humanitarian catastrophe that unfolded on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

“No one loves the Rohingya refugees like Sheikh Hasina does. She loves them like her children,” the tea seller said, adding that it was this compassionate attitude that made him decide that he and his family will vote for Sheikh Hasina in the next polls.

Mintu, a rickshaw puller from Rangpur, also poured praise on the prime minister, expressing his interest in casting his ballot in favour of the boat, the ruling party’s elections symbol.

 

[atan651]

Muslim brotherhood and sisterhood.

 

[Banglar Bir]

12:00 AM, November 16, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:36 AM, November 16, 2017
Rohingya crisis unprecedented
Providing humanitarian support to them a major challenge, PM tells JS; diplomatic move on for holding a special session of UNHCR

Temporary shelters at Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp near Cox's Bazar yesterday. Photo: Reuters
Staff Correspondent
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday in parliament said Bangladesh is faced with an unprecedented crisis over providing humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya refugees and sending them back home.
“The Rohingya crisis has taken a serious turn due to the recent military operation and violence in Rakhine State of Myanmar. The present situation is very much worse compared to anytime in the past,” she further said while responding to a question from treasury bench lawmaker Abdul Matin.

The prime minister, however, said she firmly believes that despite all odds, there would be a peaceful solution to the crisis with the assistance of international community.

Her comments came as more than 600,000 Rohingyas have crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh since late August, driven out by a brutal military crackdown described by a top UN official as a textbook case of "ethnic cleansing".

Hasina said more than 10 lakh of the Myanmarese nationals are now staying in Bangladesh; they include the four lakh who had entered the country earlier in various phases.


“And still Rohingyas are entering Bangladesh every day,” she told parliament with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

She added, "The world community stands by Bangladesh for the generosity that we have shown to the displaced people."

The PM mentioned that Bangladesh has been making vigorous diplomatic efforts to have a special session of the UNHCR on Rohingya crisis and repatriate the refugees.

Dhaka is also maintaining bilateral communications with Naypyidaw, she said, adding, “Today's problem has its root in Myanmar and Myanmar has to find a solution.”

Hasina said the entire global community has expressed solidarity with Bangladesh for the first time on any issue, which never happened before.

Referring to lingering of the Rohingya crisis for decades, the premier said it all began in 1978 when Ziaur Rahman came to power unconstitutionally.
NO PROVOCATION
Hasina said a vested quarter has been trying to engage the Rohingyas in acts of violence.

Issuing a note of warning against the instigators, she said, “Anybody who provokes Rohingyas into getting involved in acts of violence must face the music. And there is no doubt about this.”

Reiterating her government's firm stance against militancy, she said Dhaka would not allow anybody to use this land to operate terrorist activities in any neighbouring country.

“I want to say one thing: we believe in peace; we want to maintain good relations with our neighbours; we'll in no way allow anyone to use the land of Bangladesh to carry out any sort of terrorist or provocative activities in any other country. We won't tolerate this,” she said, answering to a question from Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary.

In a supplementary question, Cox's Bazar lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi said 15,000 people from five unions in his constituency have been suffering as their resources were affected because of the arrivals of Rohingyas.

In response, the PM said, “If we can provide food and other assistance to 10 lakh Rohingyas, we can feed 15,000 locals as well.”

Responding to a query from Fazilatun Nesa Bappy, she said UN Secretary-General António Guterres talked to her on October 21 over the phone regarding the Rohingya issue.

Fatema, a Rohingya woman, and her two children sit inside a mosquito net in Palong Khali refugee camp. Photo: Reuters
“At that time I sought his cooperation in implementing my five-point proposal for a permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis. I firmly told him that Myanmar has to take steps to ensure return of their forcibly displaced nationals soon with safety and dignity,” she said.

Referring to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's recent visit to Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, the premier raised a question about the motive behind her trip.

“Many are curious exactly why she went there,” she said.

“The way she went there, gorgeously attired and with a huge motorcade, it can be asked whether she went there to attend a wedding ceremony or stage a showdown.”

Pointing to Khaleda's allegation that the government failed to address the Rohingya crisis, the PM lambasted the BNP chief.

“We are not bothered about the words of those who patronise the war criminals and kill people by hurling bombs in the name of movement,” Hasina also said.

Referring to the Rohingya influx in 1991, she said she visited Cox's Bazar that time before Khaleda Zia, who was then prime minister.

In reply to another query, Hasina said Bangladesh has been recognised worldwide as a successful country in terms of peace and socio-economic development, especially because of her government's responsible foreign policy and diplomatic efforts in the last eight years.
She mentioned that so far 5,27,597 Rohingyas have been registered and given ID cards.
[With inputs from UNB, BSS]
Related Topics
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
Rohingya crisis
http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/mayanmar-refugee-crisis-rohingya-crisis-unprecedented-1491778

 

[Banglar Bir]

ROHINGYA CRISIS MAY GROW WORSE, CARITAS OFFICIAL WARNS
09 November 2017 | by Catholic News Service
In October, the WHO and Bangladesh's Ministry of Health launched a massive cholera vaccination program, the second-largest in history

Although Bangladesh has welcomed a massive influx of Rohingya refugees from neighboring Myanmar in recent weeks, a Catholic aid official is worried that the welcome may soon be wearing thin.
James Gomes, regional director of Caritas, the church's charitable agency, said Bangladesh responded quickly to the surprise arrival of more than 600,000 Rohingya, most of whom fled their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

"As a Bangladeshi, I'm proud of my people and my government. Even though we're densely populated, we made the quick decision to open the border and host the Rohingya. People from all over the country came forward in order to stand beside these people who had suffered so much. Without that solidarity, many more people would have died," Gomes told Catholic News Service.

Yet such hospitality is starting to be tested, Gomes said.

"We are hearing from people in the host communities that the presence of the Rohingya is having a negative impact on their daily lives. Day laborers, for example, are having a difficult time finding work because the newcomers sell their labor for less.
A Bangladeshi worker was getting 600 takas (US$7) a day, but a Rohingya worker will settle for 300 or 400 takas a day," he said.

Caritas Bangladesh has hired dozens of local residents to aid with assessment and food distribution. Gomes said half of the temporary hires are refugees and half are from the host community.
They are paid 900 takas a day.

The humanitarian crisis has also pushed up the local cost of living.

A Rohingya woman carries a bag of food provided by Caritas in the Nayapara Refugee Camp near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh ©CNS

"Bus fares have gone from 10 to 20 takas, and at times you now have to wait a long time for a bus that has space. Similarly, even inexpensive foods like bananas have doubled in price, and that's causing problems for local people," Gomes said.

The refugee influx is also causing an environmental crisis, in part because the massive numbers of refugees quickly raced ahead of government efforts to channel them into organised settlements.

"In order to build their shelters and get firewood, since the first days they arrived the refugees have been cutting trees. This is going to create a huge disaster in the long run, and we've already seen people injured when heavy rains provoked mudslides," Gomes said.

Aid workers here worry about a possible health crisis. While wells with hand pumps were quickly installed in the cramped refugee camps, they are usually shallow and located close to primitive latrines. Open defecation is common.

In October, the World Health Organisation and Bangladesh's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched a massive cholera vaccination program, the second-largest in history. Any outbreak of disease in the camps would quickly spread to neighbouring Bangladeshi communities.

Tension between residents and the refugees has also flared into violence. On 28 October, a Bangladeshi man in Cox's Bazar was killed in an apparent dispute over land, and police arrested two newly arrived Rohingya men.

A critical element of the humanitarian response focuses on mitigating conflicts with local communities. As people line up for food distribution, a Caritas staff member addresses those in line about the dangers of human trafficking, including the problem of girls and young women being recruited into sex work.

The government, which does not refer to the Rohingya as refugees but rather as "displaced Myanmar nationals" - hoping both to sidestep some legal requirements as well as deflate any expectations that the Rohingya are here to stay - has prohibited non-Rohingya from being in the camps after 5 pm. It also has set up checkpoints to stop any Rohingya from traveling deeper into Bangladesh.

Gomes said that while tensions have grown, they have not yet reached a tipping point.

"People are not yet telling the refugees to go home. They are still trying to accommodate them. Government is working hard to meet their needs. That will continue until we can figure out how they can peacefully repatriate. Most of the refugees I have spoken with want to go back, but they first must be assured of their security," he said.

Archbishop Moses Costa of Chittagong said the church is called to do more than just help the refugees survive in Bangladesh.

"There is a lot of concern internationally, and people are coming forward to help. That's a good thing. But I would like to ask for more. It's not enough to meet their material needs. We need to put pressure on governments to create the conditions for them to safely return home," Archbishop Costa told Catholic News Service.

In late October, the archbishop spent two days visiting the refugee camps.

"The people I talked with told me they suffered persecution and rape and killings, and they are afraid to go home. Some of them were so traumatised they couldn't talk," he said.

A woman from Myanmar feeds her child in a UN clinic for severely malnourished Rohingya children on 28 October in the Balukhali Refugee Camp near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh ©CNS

Archbishop Costa also worries about long-term problems. He said mounting resentment about the Rohingya presence has caused some tribal groups who resemble the Myanmar refugees to leave the city of Chittagong "because they are worried about revenge from the Bangladeshi people."

The archbishop said he expects Pope Francis' between 30 November to 2 December visit to Bangladesh will bring hope to the Rohingya and their new neighbours.

"He has already said that the Rohingya are some of the most persecuted people in the world, and that they are our sisters and brothers and we must respond to them," he said.

He also acknowledged that the papal visit will likely be controversial. Pope Francis will visit Myanmar before Bangladesh.

"The bishops' conference in Myanmar doesn't want the pope to even mention the word Rohingya. That in itself is evidence of the difficulties these people face. But the Holy Father constantly pushes us to attend to the needs of the poorest people, the people at the periphery.
I don't know how the pope will say it, but I know that he will not be able to go without saying something.
His heart is with these people," Archbishop Costa said.
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/8058/0/rohingya-crisis-may-grow-worse-caritas-official-warns

 

[Banglar Bir]

02:16 PM, November 16, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:31 PM, November 16, 2017
FM to visit Rohingyas with top foreign dignitaries
Star Online Report
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali will accompany top dignitaries of the European Union, Japan, Germany and Sweden to visit the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar on November 19.
The dignitaries are German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, Japan Foreign Minister Taro Kono and High Representative of the EU Federica Mogherini.

They are all expected to arrive in Dhaka a day early, said a press release of the foreign ministry today. The combined visit of four high level delegates is the first of its kind.

During the visit, the high level delegations will interact with the Rohingya people at Kutupalong. It is hoped that the visit will garner further international support for the Rohingya community.

The high dignitaries are expected to call on the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after their return from Cox’s Bazar on the same day.

Bangladesh has been sheltering over 600,000 Rohingya refugees who have fled from Myanmar in face of persecution. The country is also trying to pressure Myanmar to take back its nationals.
http://www.thedailystar.net/rohingy...ohingya-camps-top-foreign-dignitaries-1492102

 

[Banglar Bir]

01:25 PM, November 22, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 01:53 PM, November 22, 2017
Rohingya child happy with friends in Bangladesh
Star Online Report

After her parents were forced to flee from Rakhine state of Myanmar, Noor has developed friendship with many similar to her age at a tiny village of Bangladesh.

A heartwarming video recently produced by Unicef shows Noor’s friendship with Jannatua, a girl from a border village of Bangladesh.

“We play cooking, we go skipping, and we run together,” says Jannatua.

Also READ: Unicef concerned over high level water contamination at Rohingya camps
“It makes us happy,” says Noor on her part.

Jannatua’s tiny village in Cox’s Bazar district has taken in around 36,000 Rohingya refugees, according to Unicef.

Over 620,000 Rohingyas have crossed the border and taken shelter in Cox's Bazar district since August 25.
http://www.thedailystar.net/rohingy...m_medium=newsurl&utm_term=all&utm_content=all