Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to take initiative to return the Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar. He also urged to collect more funds for the Rohingyas by finding new partners.
The Prime Minister made the call during a courtesy call on IOM Director General Amy Pope at her residence Ganabhaban on Tuesday (May 7) morning.
The Prime Minister also said that the amount of international partners who were providing assistance to the Rohingyas has decreased a lot.
Later, the Prime Minister’s speech writer. Nazrul Islam briefed the journalists.
At that time, IOM Director General Amy Pope mentioned the visit to the Rohingya camp and highlighted the law and order situation of the camp to the Prime Minister.
In this context, the Prime Minister said that the camps there are overcrowded. Conflict is going on in Myanmar, there are various factions, groupings inside the camps, there are internal conflicts between them. Due to them there are many conflicts between them.
Referring to the steps taken by the government to control the law and order situation, Sheikh Hasina said that sufficient number of law enforcement personnel have been deployed there to control the law and order situation.
Referring to the environment of Cox’s Bazar, the Chief Minister said that the local people have now become a minority in Cox’s Bazar. Rohingyas are more in number. Conflicts often arise over the limited resources that are available.
Referring to the provision of better housing in Bhasanchar, Sheikh Hasina said, we have created infrastructure with all kinds of facilities in Bhasanchar. Treatment, children’s education and employment are also provided there. There is room for more people to live there. There is accommodation for one lakh people.
The Prime Minister seeks the cooperation of the International Migration Organization in moving more Rohingyas to Bhashanchar.
Pointing out that expatriate workers play a role in the economy and socio-economic development of both countries, Sheikh Hasina said that since they are contributing to the economy and socio-economic development of both countries, it is the responsibility of both to protect their interests.
He mentioned that the Bangladesh government has undertaken many programs for the welfare of expatriate workers, including providing loans through the Expatriate Welfare Bank.
IOM Director-General Amy Pope emphasized the need for migrant workers to develop their skills, learn the language and culture, and train them according to the needs of the host country.
In this context, Sheikh Hasina said that her government is training workers going abroad. Arrangements have been made to send them abroad. For this purpose, around 112 technical training schools have been established across the country. Various skill development trainings and language courses are offered there.
European countries are with Bangladesh in repatriation of Rohingya
Referring to the various programs taken by the government for the welfare of climate change victims, the Prime Minister said that Bangladesh is one of the affected countries. We have migration due to various reasons including river erosion, floods. However, we are providing housing to climate refugees through the Asharyan scheme.
He said, cyclone-proof houses in coastal areas, floating houses in flood-prone areas are being given.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned the construction of multi-storied buildings in Khurushkul for the climate refugees and housing around 4000 victims.
Highlighting the relationship between climate refugees and poverty, he said, if we can reduce poverty, the intensity of migration will decrease.
Highlighting the government’s multi-pronged initiatives to reduce poverty in the country, the four-time prime minister said that in the last 15 years, the poverty rate in Bangladesh has been reduced significantly. Now the extreme poverty rate has come down to 5.6 percent.
During the meeting, among others, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister. Tofazzal Hossain Mia and Secretary of Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Foreign Employment. Ruhul Amin was present.
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