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5 years ago

UNHCR rules out Rohingya fund misuse

Hails Bhasanchar relocation if refugees go 'willingly'

Rohingya refugees stretch their hands for aid in Cox's Bazar camp — Reuters/File
Rohingya refugees stretch their hands for aid in Cox's Bazar camp — Reuters/File

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The UN refugee agency said the funds meant for the humanitarian response to the Rohingya have not been misused.

Visiting assistant high commissioner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Volker Turk made the remarks in response to a question about the criticism that non-government organisations, which are engaged in providing humanitarian support for the Rohingya refugees, are spending bulk of their fund for their volunteers.

"The fund we receive is used under strict rules and there is no question of misusing these funds," he said while talking with reporters on Thursday.

The pattern of the use of the fund is transparent and is aimed at providing support for shelter, food and non-food items and water to the refugees, he added.

Mr Volker said that Rohingya repatriation should be safe and dignified and the UNHCR was working with both the Bangladesh and Myanmar governments to attain this goal.

"The solution to this crisis lies with Myanmar as the Rohingya belong to Myanmar. They have the responsibility to ensure dignified and safe repatriation of the Rohingya."

"I have the chance to talk to many Rohingya during the beginning of the crisis and now after one and a half years, I have found that they want a meaningful life, a sense of normalcy after going back," he said, referring to his conversations with the Rohingya in Cox's Bazar during this visit.

Lauding Bangladesh, he said the Bangladeshi society is the first that extended help to them through opening their hearts and minds.

He also stressed the need for sustained international attention to resolve the crisis.

However, he mentioned that the ongoing fighting disrupts the process of the start of repatriation.

"We need to continue to work with the Myanmar government to find a pathway," he said.

The Myanmar government should take steps which provide assurances of security and safety to the Rohingya, he added.

Stressing the need for community level engagement, he said a sense of belonging, freedom of movement should be ensured for successful repatriation.

About the government's plan to relocate the Rohingya to Bhasanchar Island, he said the UNHCR will welcome the move if the Rohingya want to go there willingly.

"The UN has very constructive discussions with the Bangladeshi government in this regard," he added.

Replying to a question, he said the situation of Rakhine is complex and measures should be needed so that the Rohingya and other communities can co-exist peacefully in Rakhine again.

"The implementation of the Rakhine Commission is very important in this regard," Mr Volker noted.

Responding to another question, he said as the UNHCR is a humanitarian organisation, the success of refugee repatriation lies with the governments concerned, not with it.

mirmostafiz @yahoo.com

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