Diplomatic Correspondent :
Director General of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) William Lacy Swing on Monday said that the IOM would extend all kinds of support to Bangladesh for the repatriation of Rohingya people who fled from Myanmar after persecution.
“We have been working with migration problems. We have vast experience about repatriation. Definitely we will give you (Bangladesh) all kinds of support. This is also an extraordinary challenge for Bangladesh. Whatever we can do, we will do that,” he said.
The Director General of IOM said this when he met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her office in the city on Monday.
Senior Regional Adviser to DG Wen Li, spokesperson of DG Leonard Doyle, IOM Bangladesh Chief Mission Giorgi Gigauri, Head of Refugee Cell Unit Peppi Siddiq and Deputy Chief of Mission Abdusattor Esoev were present, during the meeting, among others.
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters afterward. He said that the IOM Director General visited Cox’s Bazar to witness the plight of Rohingyas on the ground.
William Lacy Swing mentioned, all have to work together to resolve the ongoing crisis and said that during his visit to Cox’s Bazar he saw the sufferings of the local people due to the influx of the Rohingyas.
He thanked the Bangladesh Government for its cooperation and support to the displaced Rohingya people.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, she does not know how long the Rohingyas will stay in Bangladesh. “But we are trying our level best,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina informed, the government is preparing an island to relocate the Rohingyas from Cox’s Bazar to ensure them better livelihood.”
She said, the months of August-September are the flooding season in Bangladesh while October-November period is a cyclone time. “Keeping that in mind, we have prepared the shelter in the island. There’ll be cyclone shelters also thereat.”
The Prime Minister also added that the government would support with healthcare and education facilities for the Rohingyas.
She also mentioned that the government engaged all, including the army, navy, air force, police, administration and others for managing the refugees.
“Local people are also suffering due to the influx of the refugees as their cultivable lands are being occupied by Rohingyas,” she said.
Talking about the agreement signed with Myanmar government regarding the repatriation of the Rohingyas, she said, Myanmar is not acting as per the agreement.
