Staff Reporter :
The government plans separate allocation in the next budget as humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya refugees who fled to Bangladesh to escape brutal military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
More than 700,000 Rohingyas arrived in Cox’s Bazar since August 25 last year creating a multidimensional problem for Bangladesh.
“We will make separate allocation in the next budget to provide food, shelter and other necessary supports to the Rohingya refugees,” Muhith told reporters after a meeting with a delegation of British donor agency DFID.
The DFID (Department for International Development) delegation led by British MP StephenTwigg met him at his secretariat office on Tuesday afternoon.
Muhith said budgetary allocation has been made this year also to the head of refugee camps. But size of allocation is going to be bigger in the next budget considering the huge number of refugees.
“The allocation was given earlier for about 300000 Rohingays. But the number now grows to over 10,00000 (one million) requiring additional budgetary fund and allocation would be made as per the assessment,” said Muhith.
The minister earlier directed the finance secretary to submit a report on the need assessment.
“We’re facing huge challenge to provide humanitarian assistance to the vast refugee population. The government needs huge fund until their repatriation,” said Muhith.
The minister, however, expressed his doubt about the Rohingya repatriation, saying the Myanmar government does not live up to its commitment.
Muhith also recalled the assistance provided by the international community as emergency assistance to the refugees.
“We appreciate the support extended by the international community in handling the crisis. The humanitarian support currently provided by the UN agencies and international organisations would not continue for a long period. Hence, the burden would be on the government of Bangladesh, ” added Muhith.
Responding to a question, Muhith also said that allocation would also be made in the next budget for building shelters for the Rohingya refugees at Bhashan Char.
Different ministries have already sought Tk 65 crore for rehabilitating Rohingya refugees at Bhasanchar.
Bangladesh will require a total of $882 million or about Tk 7,126 crore to host Rohingyas until June 2018, according to an estimate of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), private think tank.
