“Repatriation is the only solution to the Rohingya crisis”

The Daily Star (TDS) What is the current situation of refugee relief and repatriation in the Rohingya camps?

Mohammed Mizanur Rahman (MMR) Since 1992, there have been two registered camps– Kutupalong Registered Camp and Nayapara Registered Camp, where around 34,000 refugees have been given refugee status. The rest of the Rohingya population is referred to as Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) by the Government of Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh government has been managing the relief facilities in collaboration with the United Nations agencies, international organisations and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs). We have not received a single complaint of starvation or lack of basic health facilities. However, there are complaints regarding shelter. Since most of the people are not recognised as refugees, they have to live in temporary shelters. We don't have plans to establish a permanent shelter for them since we want them to return to their country as soon as possible.

There is no sign of hope regarding the repatriation of the Rohingyas. This is not Bangladesh's failure; Myanmar has failed to create the required conducive environment for the repatriation of the Rohingyas.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Myanmar wing is working relentlessly to repatriate the Rohingya population successfully. Through our Foreign Ministry, we sent a list of Rohingyas who fulfilled the requirements,for example, by providing a family tree. Yet, Myanmar is obstructing the repatriation process by raising questions about the lists in the name of verification. 

We have already transferred 31,000 Rohingyas to Bhasan Char with the plan to relocate one lakh Rohingya initially. We want the UN agencies to work with us more closely in the Bhasan Char.           

TDS: Is decline in funding impacting the overall management of the Rohingya humanitarian response?

MMR: This year, the funding has drastically decreased. The humanitarian response management will definitely be impacted if this trend keeps continuing in 2023 and onwards.

A bird-eye view of Bhasan Char. Photo: collected

There are certain impacts of the decline in funding, such as the shutting down of operations by many international and local organisations. As part of the localisation, a pooled fund is being raised through BRAC to capacitate the local NGOs to manage the crisis for the time being.

Since the beginning, the RRRC, together with UN agencies,has been following the principle of 'rationalisation of services',where we identify and address the overlapping areas and wastage to ensure value for money. We are maintaining this approach more rigorously now.

The Russia-Ukraine war has been shown as the prime reason behind the budget decline. Considering Bangladesh's economic condition and population density, it would be unfair if the focus shift from the Rohingya response. We hope the world community will stay beside us until a proper settlement of the crisis is reached. The international community must create pressure so these displaced people can return to their own country. Repatriation is the only solution to the Rohingya crisis.

The interview was taken by Saudia Afrin