Rohingya refugees in at least 13 camps of Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas of Cox's Bazar yesterday organized human chains and rallies to protest the pilot repatriation project and cut in food aid.
Speakers strongly condemned what they called the deceitful policies of the United Nations regarding reduced food rations and the cessation of food aid for four families willing to return to Myanmar.
The community leaders emphasized that they had fled Myanmar due to the grave threats posed by persecution, murder and rape.
Grateful for the humanitarian asylum granted by the government of Bangladesh, they now strive for a prompt repatriation process to reunite with their families and rebuild their lives.
Dhaka TribuneThey said living in these camps for six years has felt like being imprisoned. They are eager to return to their homes in Myanmar at the earliest opportunity.
The Rohingya refugees suspect a conspiracy aimed at preventing their repatriation. They expressed their desperation to return to Myanmar, highlighting the urgency of attaining citizenship upon repatriation to Myanmar.
Currently, preparations are underway to send back more than 1,100 Rohingyas in the first phase. Officials said that they will be sent back quickly if all goes well.
Apart from this, the two countries are also discussing the repatriation of another 6,000 Rohingyas this year.
The food ration cut of $2 from $10 became effective on June 1, as per a previous announcement of the World Food Program (WFP). In March of this year, funding shortages compelled the WFP to reduce the value of its General Food Assistance vouchers from $12 to $10 per person per month.
The UNHCR stopped providing food assistance to 23 Rohingya people belonging to four families in Cox's Bazar on June 5, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Md Mizanur Rahman said.
In late May, 23 listed refugees were relocated to a transit camp in Kutupalong of Ukhiya from Bhashan Char. They were earlier interviewed by the Myanmar authorities for verification.
On allegations of suspension of food aid, the UNHCR on June 6 said it will continue to provide food, healthcare and some essential non-food items to the four Rohingya refugee families, and asked the authorities concerned to share information on the future of this group.
Should they decide not to return to Myanmar, the UNHCR said, they are facilitated to return to their shelters in Bhashan Char, where they were registered and could also access the humanitarian assistance they were entitled to.
