Bangladesh government and the United Nations (UN) on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make easier for humanitarian agencies to provide services for Rohingyas in Bhasan Char.

Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohsin and UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the secretariat.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr M Enamur Rahman witnessed the signing ceremony. 

The MoU is a further expression of the government and people of Bangladesh's generosity and support toward the Rohingya population until they can return safely and sustainably to Myanmar, said an UNHCR media release after the signing ceremony.

The MoU is also a reconfirmation of the UN's commitment to continue supporting Bangladesh in leading the humanitarian programme for almost 900,000 forcefully displaced Rohingyas in the country, it added.

The agreement relating to Bhasan Char allows close cooperation between the government and the UN on services and activities to benefit the increasing numbers of Rohingyas living on the island.

The MoU covers key areas of protection, education, skills-training, livelihoods and health, which will help support the refugees to lead decent lives on the island and better prepare them for sustainable return to Myanmar in the future.

The UN response will build up and complement the humanitarian assistance so far provided by Bangladeshi NGOs on the island, said the release.

The UN, according to the statement, encourages the international community to increase its generous support to the humanitarian response in Bangladesh.

BDST: 1615 HRS, OCT 09, 2021
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