Dhaka: 46 countries' diplomats visit Rohingya refugee camps

Foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka today visited different Rohingya refugee camps in Ukhia and Teknaf to observe the condition of the ill-fated Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar to Bangladesh following persecution by their army during the last couple of weeks.

Diplomats of 46 countries, comprising ambassadors and high commissioners, visited the Kutupalong and Balukhali Rohingya camps and interacted with Rohingya refugees.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and foreign ministry senior officials accompanied the diplomats from Dhaka.

Talking to media, the diplomats said that the influx of Rohingya refugees has created a serious humanitarian crisis for Bangladesh as the country has to host millions of refugees since long.

They also said that they will raise the issue with their respective countries and will be with Bangladesh in this crisis.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said Bangladesh has informed all countries across the globe about the crisis since it is a huge burden for Bangladesh to provide all necessary support to the Rohingya people.

"Following the visits of diplomats, they would be able to understand the actual crisis. They can put pressure on Myanmar to take their citizens after the visit," he said, adding, "The problem was created by the Myanmar government and they'll have to resolve it."

The delegation of foreign diplomats included USA, Malaysia, Vietnam, Norway, EU, UK, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, UAE, Spain, Nepal, Qatar, the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, Denmark, Australia, Brunei, Switzerland, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Egypt, Italy, Oman, Canada, Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Iran, Turkey, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Kuwait, Maldives and China.

Representatives of Human Rights Council, FAO and International Red Crescent also accompanied the delegation.

India to send relief for Myanmar refugees in Bangladesh

India is sending tomorrow a consignment of relief materials, an Indian high commission spokesman said here today, as tens of thousands of Myanmar refugees crossed into Bangladesh to evade atrocities in Burma's Rakhine state.

"An Indian aircraft will carry the first consignment of humanitarian assistance tomorrow it will land at Chittagong Airport at 11 am," he said. The spokesman said Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla would hand over the materials to Bangladesh's Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader.

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