Bangladesh facing crisis over Rohingya influx: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangladesh is facing an unprecedented crisis over providing humanitarian assistance to tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees staying in the country’s southeast region.“The present situation is worse compared to any other in the past,” she said. The prime minister was replying to a question from lawmaker Abdul Matin in parliament.She said the Rohingya crisis in Rakhaine state in Myanmar has turned complex in the recent days due to the military crackdown and violence.Hasina expressed her firm conviction that her government would be able to resolve the Rohingya crisis peacefully with the help of the international community despite many obstacles.Replying to a question, the prime minister said the government will take steps for rehabilitation of the local people of Ukhiya and Teknaf areas of Cox’s Bazar district who lost their livelihood due to the influx of Rohingya refugees in their localities.Hasina said Bangladesh has received the support of the international community for repatriation of the Rohingya to their homeland in the Rakhaine state of Myanmar.“The whole world community stood by Bangladesh for the generosity that we have shown to the displaced people, welcoming our steps taken for their shelter,” she said.The prime minister said the international community is working together for repatriation of the Myanmar nationals to their country.Replying to a supplementary question from Abdur Rahman Bodi, a parliament member from Cox’s Bazar, the prime minister said influx of Rohingya caused huge damage to nature of the area and livelihood of the local people.So the government has taken decision to provide food support as well as new occupational opportunities to the local people who are suffering the most because of the Rohingya influx, the prime minister said. The government yesterday called on regional forums like Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations) to address the Rohingya crisis.During a meeting with the new High Commissioner of Singapore to Bangladesh Derek LohEu-Tse, Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali sought Singapore’s support in the effort for early repatriation of Myanmar nationals from Bangladesh and also for securing a durable solution of the Rohingya problem.Congratulating the High Commissioner for his new assignment, Ali expressed satisfaction over the close relations between Bangladesh and Singapore.The Minister stressed on further deepening of bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and other areas of mutual interest.They also discussed about the prime minister’s expected visit to Singapore early next year. The High Commissioner also met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam.