The Myanmar Ministry of Information on Thursday said they would begin to verify how many of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh they would take back, reports the Straits Times.
Bangladesh has repeatedly called for Myanmar to take back refugees who fled its Rakhine state. However, repatriation is complicated by the fact that the Rohingya are not recognised as citizens in Myanmar.
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Since violence flared in Myanmar’s Rakhine state on August 25, at least 501,800 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh. They entered the country through various points, including land and sea routes. Before the latest influx, Bangladesh already hosted around 400,000 Rohingya.
Most of the newly-arrived Rohingya are staying in Kutupalong and surrounding hillocks in tents and overcrowded makeshift camps. More are waiting across the border.
Also Read- Scores feared dead after Rohingya boat capsizes off Ukhiya coast
Dozens of Rohingya fleeing violence in Myanmar drowned after a boat carrying them capsized in rough seas off the coast of Ukhiya in Cox’s Bazar on Thursday. Though 17 were rescued, survivors report that around 80 people, including 50 children under the age of 10, were on board. A total 23 bodies have so far been recovered.
Emergency response is being scaled up to meet the enormous health, safety and security needs, but they are inadequate. The UN will be launching an updated inter-agency appeal in the coming weeks.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
