UNHCR prepares for new influx of Rohingya to Bangladesh

UNHCR is working with Bangladesh authorities on a transit centre to prepare for a potential refugee influx in the coming days. This comes after a sudden increase in people arriving from Myanmar since Monday, reports a press release by UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards from the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The Border Guard Bangladesh say that more than 11,000 Rohingya refugees have crossed by land on Monday into south-eastern Bangladesh via several points. So far, nearly 520,000 Rohingya people have arrived in Bangladesh and taking shelter. UNHCR sources say that many of the new refugees have come from the Buthidaung area in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state. Buthidaung town is some 25 kilometres east of Maungdaw. The new arrivals have now been moved away from the border areas into established camps and settlements in the Kutupalong and Balukhali area. UNHCR has trucked in plastic sheets and jerry cans for water. UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards said that they also coordinating with the government and partners to provide urgent services – food, water and healthcare – to the new refugees. To prepare for possible further new arrivals, UNHCR’s government counterpart, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC), has agreed to set up small first aid stations at entry points to provide water and attention for major medical emergencies among the fresh arrivals. In addition, RRRC has also allocated land to set up a transit centre in the Kutupalong extension site. It will lead preparedness activities with UNHCR in coordination with partners including WFP, Unicef, IOM, WHO, ICRC and ACF. Basic assistance will also be provided at the entry points.