A visiting delegation from Human Concern has warned that Rohingya crisis has been largely overshadowed on the global stage due to various global crises and complexities.
The delegation stressed that international community must renew its attention to the issue to ensure the Rohingya can return to their homesteads in their own country with proper respect and dignity.
The delegation made these observations on Monday while visiting Rohingya Camp 4 in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. During the visit, they inspected ongoing humanitarian programmes in healthcare, education, and livelihoods, and interacted with the beneficiaries.
The delegation first visited a health centre run by OBAT Helpers in Camp 4, where they enquired about the various healthcare activities being conducted for Rohingya refugees.
Following this, they visited an education centre run by the voluntary organisation Shushilan, where they were briefed on the ongoing educational activities under the organisation’s child sponsorship programme. They also inspected a livelihood project operated by Prantic Unnayan Society.
During their tour, the delegation members held discussions with relevant stakeholders regarding educational opportunities and the future of Rohingya children.
Under the livelihood project, they also interacted with stakeholders and beneficiaries involved in sewing training aimed at developing skills for women.
Emphasising the importance of ensuring a quality learning environment to build the future of Rohingya children, the delegation said, “A quality educational environment must be ensured for Rohingya children right from the primary level.”
“Alongside this, they need to be developed as skilled and self-reliant individuals, so that they can utilise their acquired knowledge and skills when they return to their home country one day,” they added.
The visiting delegation included Global Chief Executive Officer of Human Concern International Mahmuda Khan, Chief Executive Officer of Human Concern USA Masum Mahbub, and international political analyst and international relations expert Sami Hamdi.
The members of the delegation said addressing this protracted crisis requires more than just humanitarian aid.
They emphasised that active efforts by international community are urgent to ensure a safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation for Rohingya, and added that the government must also play a strong role in this regard.
Later that day, an opinion-sharing meeting was held at the office of Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner in Cox’s Bazar, where the delegation met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, other senior officials, and various stakeholders working in Rohingya refugee camps.
