DHAKA—Muhammad Yunus, Nobel laureate and head of Bangladesh’s transitional government, has formally requested United Nations assistance to facilitate the voluntary return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. These refugees are currently housed in Cox’s Bazar, a district in the southeastern part of the country.
According to Philippines News Agency, Yunus reached out to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi via a phone call on Monday, seeking support for the repatriation effort. This plea comes as part of Bangladesh’s broader strategy to address the prolonged refugee situation, which began in August 2017 when approximately 1.2 million Rohingyas fled a severe military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Since then, most have resided in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, with about 35,000 relocated to Bhasan Char island since late 2020.
The Bangladesh state news agency, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, quoted Grandi commending Yunus for his significant efforts in rebuilding the nation and addressing this complex humanitarian crisis. The conversation also touched upon long-term solutions for the displaced Rohingya, focusing on improving future prospects for the youth among them.
Grandi expressed his commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s objectives, stating, “We will discuss further at the UNGA and in Dhaka.” He is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in October to continue these discussions and solidify the UN’s role in aiding the Rohingya population.