The solution to the protracted Rohingya crisis lies with Myanmar and a political solution is absolutely necessary, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly T Clements has said.
Following the military coup in February 2021, working with the government in Myanmar has been more difficult than in previous years, she said.
“Obviously, the solution is in Myanmar. A political solution and a broader solution to the crisis is absolutely necessary,” the deputy high commissioner noted in an exclusive interview with Dhaka Tribune on Thursday at a local hotel.
When asked about a possible timeframe for an end to the crisis, she said, “You know the solution lies in Myanmar. We did not expect what happened a year ago. Let’s hope we see some resolution there before long.”
Clements, the second highest ranking official of the UNHCR, visited Bangladesh over February 13-18. During her six-day trip, she met with officials of the government of Bangladesh to discuss the ongoing response to the circumstances of the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhashan Char.
The top UNHCR official also met with Rohingya refugees for a direct and in-depth understanding of current needs, challenges and the future. Additionally, she had discussions with donors, civil society groups, and partner organizations working on the refugee response.
In the interview, Clements, a United States diplomat, also talked about various issues, including the difficulties of working with the Myanmar government, international support and funding, radicalization in the Rohingya camps, and Bhashan Char.
She profusely praised Bangladesh for including the Rohingyas in the vaccination plan and hosting the displaced people from Rakhine who had to flee their homes to escape a genocidal crackdown by the Myanmar military and its civilian accomplices.
When asked if the international community was doing enough to end this crisis, Clements said: “I think the international community stands ready to support. And, in terms of working with the government, in terms of engagements, it has been more difficult last year than in the previous years.
“Well, of course, with the events of a year in some way we may be further,” she said, placing great emphasis on implementing some of the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State to address some root causes, like freedom of movement, education, income generation, some sort of documentation in terms of their status.
“All of them become very important in terms of their ability to go back voluntarily. Talking about refugees, most of those who arrived in 2017 continue to want to go home. So, they talk about this. This is something we would like to support when the time is right. But, at this stage, we don’t see the possibility of a large number of people (to go back). Maybe a small number can go back. Obviously, it is going to be the choice of the refugees,” she added.
When asked about radicalization in the Rohingya camps, the official, who worked at UNHCR Bangladesh in 1992, said, “Unless people are engaged productively… Idleness is not a good situation in any environment, be it in the host communities or in the refugee centers.”
“This is where you need to engage youths and also adults in productive activities…Earning a living, educating their minds, engaged in other activities to mobilize a community. Otherwise, it’s very difficult in terms of how they become more susceptible. And, this is why we need to have good program activities,” she said.
About funding to look after the Rohingyas, Clements said, “JRP (joint response plan) in 2021 was one of the best-supported appeals anywhere in the world. At 70%, that’s quite good. Would we like 100%? Absolutely. Do we like more support? Absolutely. We do want to see the JRP for 2022 to come out as quickly as possible.”
The UNHCR does not want the eye of the world to turn away from the crisis, she said, noting the help for the host communities.
On the relocation of Rohingyas to Bhashan Char, Clements said, “It’s not so normal for us to see the refugees on an island. We are there. We reached an agreement with the government in October 2021. There were some very clear ideas that are important for the refugees to live in dignity.”
Mentioning freedom of movement, schools, health, skills developments, and income generation, she said: “We need to support the government to provide those services. The Bangladesh government thinks it is good to decongest the camps and it’s all understood. But, much more needs to be done. I think there is the potential to be a temporary home for refugees,”
The deputy high commissioner also said that movement between Bhashan Char and the mainland had started.
“That is happening. It needs to happen more. It needs to be easier. It is starting to happen,” she said.
For Rohingyas in Bhashan Char to be resilient, things like income generation, informal small little businesses to make a living, and fishing are required, Clements said.
“That is also starting. When that all comes together it could be a real community,” she said.
About Bangladesh’s efforts to ensure safety for the Rohingyas from Covid-19, Clements said that it was a credit to the government that it had taken the inclusive approach.
“They have realized that if the refugees are not vaccinated along with the host communities the risk of a spread of the virus is much greater. 340,000 refugees have had at least one shot. Some have had two doses. Now it is speeding up. Thanks to Bangladesh for its thought regarding broadly to include Rohingyas,” she said.
