Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that Indian government has been providing aidto the Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is currently sheltering over one million Rohingyas who fled the Rakhine state to escape what the UN describes as “ethnic cleansing.”
The high commissioner, with his 10-member delegation, handed over 1.1 million litres of kerosene oil and 20,000 multi-wick kerosene stoves to the Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzel Hussain Chowdhury Maya in Cox’s Bazar.
“One stove and 10kg of kerosene are being distributed to 20,000 Rohingya families,” said Shringla during the distribution of the oil at the Balukhali Rohingya camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar on Monday afternoon.
This has been the third phase of the humanitarian assistance from the government of India to Bangladesh to assist in meeting the requirements of displaced Rohingyas.
Maya thanked India for its fuel support, he said: “Earlier the Indian government distributed relief supplies which consisted of rice, pulses, sugar, salt, tea, ready-to-eat noodles, biscuits, baby-food, raincoats, gum boots, mosquito nets, etc.
“Fuel has been a big issue. We sought support from Indian government and they responded. The latest round of aid will help over 20,000 families with fuel for cooking for five months. We thank them for the support,” he added.
Meanwhile, in Myanmar's Rakhine state construction of 250 homes has come to the last stage. In addition, construction of 50 more buildings has started in Myanmar's Maungdaw district's Qin Sang village.
Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Mohammad Shah Kalam, Cox's Bazar Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Abul Kalam, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society President Hafiz Ahmed Majumder were also present during the distribution.