Keeping the Rohingya here in Bangladesh in refugee camps indefinitely was never a long-term workable solution to this refugee crisis. This is true whether the Rohingya are being accommodated in Cox’s Bazar, or in better facilities at Bhasan Char.
The fact is, ultimately, the Rohingya must be repatriated to Myanmar where they should be recognized as full citizens with all their rights protected, and this process must be monitored closely by the international community.
But for now, the fact is, Bangladesh is taking care of a massive Rohingya population, and our resources have been stretched to the limit. Housing, feeding, and providing various services to them comes at a price, and there is no reason for Bangladesh to have to pick up the bill. This is a global humanitarian obligation.
It is good to see, then, that the international joint response plan (JRP) -- which is to be launched today -- plans to appeal for $943 million to meet the basic needs of the Rohingya and host communities.
About a million Rohingya refugees are now within Bangladesh’s borders after having fled ethnic cleansing in Rakhine State back in 2017. This money was needed a long time ago, and it is unfortunate that the international community has dragged its feet on the matter, but better late than never.
These funds will go a long way towards easing the pressure on Bangladesh until a more permanent solution is found. A permanent solution, of course, is a more complex matter which would involve great pressure on the Myanmar regime from world powers, but until then, a steady stream of humanitarian funding will be sorely needed.