António Guterres, the secretary-general of the UN, demanded immediate foreign assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh on Friday, warning that reduces in humanitarian support could lead to a catastrophe.
During his four-day attend to Bangladesh, Guterres urged the global community to give financial and political guidance to both the migrants and their host societies while holding a joint press presentation in Dhaka.
He said,” I strongly appeal to the international community to allow us to avoid any tragedy.” He also praised Bangladesh’s “extraordinary generosity” in providing shelter to more than one million Rohingya refugees and described it as a testament to the nation’s humanitarian spirit.
Guterres visited Cox’s Bazar, where the majority of Rohingya refugees reside in overcrowded camps, and spoke out against the effects of global aid cuts on the” crime” that he described described as” a crime” in AP.
He criticized the United States and other European nations for cutting humanitarian aid while boosting defense spending.
According to AP, the UN’s World Food Programme ( WFP ) has warned that Rohingya refugees ‘ food rations could be reduced by half next month without urgent funding. According to a recent WFP letter, operations will need$ 81 million to continue until the end of the year, including$ 15 million for April alone.
Guterres emphasized that Rohingya refugees must not be forgotten and that the UN will continue its efforts to secure funding. We can’t tolerate the international community forgetting about the Rohingya, he said.
When Guterres and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser met, Guterres urged the UN to mobilize humanitarian aid and support the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, which he described as the ultimate solution.
” We are attempting to draw attention to the plight of the Rohingya people.” The world ought to be aware of how they are suffering. There is a sense of frustration, Yunus was quoted by AP as saying.
Guterres called on all parties to ensure the Rohingya’s safe and voluntary return and stressed that Myanmar continues to be the country’s ancestral home. According to PTI, “my message to all parties in Myanmar is clear: exercise maximum restraint, prioritize the protection of civilians, and create conditions for the Rohingya to return home.”
Repatriation is the only long-term solution, Bangladesh has consistently argued, but efforts have stalled as a result of Myanmar’s ongoing political unrest. In an international court, the Buddhist-majority nation has been accused of genocide against the Rohingya.
According to ANI, Guterres reiterated the UN’s commitment to promoting Rohingya rights and ensuring that the Rohingya receive humanitarian aid.
He also spoke with foreign adviser Touhid Hossain at a joint press conference, toured a photo booth in Dhaka, and spoke with youth and civil society members there.
Before he departs from Dhaka on March 16, his visit will culminate with an iftar hosted by the chief adviser.
