ED: Not nearly enough

It is highly regrettable that, when it comes to securing sufficient funds regarding the Rohingya sheltered in Cox’s Bazar, there remains a significant gap, with the UNHCR stating that it has managed to raise less than half of the $1 billion required.

By now, absolutely nobody should question the humanitarian efforts that Bangladesh has displayed in sheltering the Rohingya in Bangladesh, after they were forced to flee Rakhine State following atrocities committed by the Myanmar army. A number of agencies have stepped up, but the scale of the problem is simply too overwhelming.

Agencies like the UNHCR are responsible for ensuring that the Rohingya refugees continue to get access to food, basic health care services, and other vital support. Without adequate funds, this becomes extremely difficult.

Already, the Rohingya have been subjected to atrocities no human being should ever experience, and have been compelled to leave behind their homes and seek shelter in Bangladesh. They have the right to be able to lead a decent life, one with dignity, where at least their basic needs are met.

Of course, providing for the Rohingya is not the long-term viable solution; repatriating the Rohingya so that they can go back home and live a life of dignity and respect as citizens of Myanmar should be the ultimate goal, and this must be prioritized by the international community, whose lackadaisical approach to the issue has been one of the glaring reasons why Myanmar has continued to avert serious discussions regarding repatriation.

However, until that solution becomes a reality, the Rohingya must be provided for, and it cannot be done without funding. The onus now lies on the powerful economies of the world to go beyond empty promises, and lend their support through donations.