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World body takes over charge of relief operation for Rohingya refugees

UNHCR to appeal for global help

From S Bari
COX'S BAZAR Feb 16 : 11* visiting officials of e United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today said that the agency would launch a world-wide appeal for funds to provide relief Io the Myanmar citizens fleeing into Bangladesh
Srl Wijeratne and Shamsul Bari, the UNHCR representatives to the Philippines and Malaysia respectively, vlsiicd four Rohingya refugee camps located In remote frontier areas here today and announced the UN body was taking over charge of the relief operations.
The UNHCR representatives arc on an assessment mission to determine the extent of help needed by the Myanmar Rohingya refugees. They met with the kxal an thArltles to assure them of UN aaaistancc.
As many as one lakh Rohi-
ngyas are said to have escaped Into Bangladesh following persecution by the Myanmar military authorities. The Bangladesh government, no longer able to deal with the vast number, has Invited the UNHCR assistance.
Accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar Dauduzzaman Chowdhury and Civil Surgeon Dr Faiz Ahmed Khan. Bari and Wijeratne visited refugee camps at Dachuapalang. Maric hhya and Diundamia.
The UNHCR delegation deemed shelters as the primary concern after reviewing the situation of the camps, especially as the monsoon ap
"Funding Is no problem." said Bart, "we must build emergency housing Immediately "
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Makeshift camp* arc being converted into proper shelters by the focal administration, but the DC admitted that UNHCR's taking over of the relief operation was an Immense relief.
“Wc started building without any guarantee of money.' he told The Daily Star." but now a( least wc can count-on the UN."
Of the camps. Dachua-palang-1 Is so far the best managed, with 47 sheds and five tubewclis for some 500 families.
The camp at Dachuapalang-2 is disorganised and unsanitary. housing an estimated 42 thousand people.
The UNHCR officials voiced their concern over fire hazards In the thatched huis with plastic sheet roofs.
Wijeralnc said "In 12 years of I ICR experience. I have rurcly seen such an emergency. In terms of malnutrition and shelter and In terms of tlic persecution these people have faced." He added that Immediate International response to tile Issue was imperative.
"Wc may have 200.000 people on our hand soon." he said. This would make Bangladesh v the site of one of UNHCR's largest operations.
Wijeratnc expressed admiration at the swift reaction of local authorities. "In a country wilh such limited resources this Is quite an achievement." he said.
The UN learn went on lo a crossing point at Tcknaf this afternoon where refugees could be seen entering Bangladesh at the rale of three boat-full an hour. A reception centre wus built at the crossing point.
The UNHCR officials also spoke to a number of Rohingya refugees who were frightened return lo Iheir homeland without rny International guarantee. According to a student Abdul Rashid, a member of the Rohingya Refugee Relief and Welfare Committee, only 40 per cent of the refugees regis-
tered wilh the government camp*, for fear of being sent buck.
The HCR made arrangements for a truck lo ferry tlic refugees from Teknaf lo the nearest camps.
"Wc must get transport, because they arc our responsibility from the minwlc they set foot in Bangladesh." said Wijeratnc.
With an initial allocation of US dollar 100,000. the UNHCR plans lo launch an appeal lo donors for funds. As Bari puts It."Our role Is lo Crovkie the refugees with basic uman amenities which include food, medicine and education.'
This entail coordination with other agencies like Gana Shasthya Kendro and Mcde-clns Sans Frontlcres already working In the area. The UNHCR Icam meets wilh concerned organisations and the officials of the district administration tomorrow (Monday).
Bari tokl Ilie Dally SUir that repatriation of the refugees was the only solution envisaged by the UN at the moment.
International awareness of the severity of the slluatfon will possibly pul political pressure on (he Myanmar government.
Meanwhile, refugees stream across live Naaf river. Many of the women arc widowed or rape victim or both. In u list made at the Maric hhya c amp, out l 423 families.-275 are headed by the widowed women.
Children are being born In the camps to mothers too ipalnourlshcd to breast feed. Malaria, scabies arxl dtarrlxx-a rage unimpeded.
The UN team rctutvis to Dliaka Monday to consult with the Home Ministry and Ihe Foreign Ministry. A UNHCR back-up team will also arrive next week to form a l«x-al office and monitor the conslruc-■ kin and organisation of the 'camps.
Our Staff Correspondent In Dhaka adds. The Unllid Natkins High ConunlsstoiK-r for Refugees on Friday expressed deep concern alxiul the tragic conditions in Myanmar that are forcing people to flee at tlic rale of 400 to 600 a day.
According to a UNHCR press release. High Commissioner Sadako Ogata, while expressing her gratitude to Bangladesh for "Its generosity towards the refugees", said that the UN is rushing an emergency team to Bangladesh to help more than 60.000 refugee pouring across the border from Myanmar.
Noting the increasing Influx of refugees from Myanmar Into other countries In the region, the High Commissioner said "no one seeking asylum woukl be forcibly, returned".
The statement went on lo add that ihe government of Bangladesh on Friday requested UNHCR to provide immediate help lo the refugees from Myanmar when the influx reached such proportions that the government's resources were "stretched to the breaking point".
The request followed an offer of emergency assistance from the High Commissioner during a meeting with Prime Minister Begum Khuleda Zia at the OlC summit In Dakar last December.
The High Commissioner immediately allocated und Initial 100.000 US dollars from the emergency (und for urgently needed supplies for the refugees, most of whom are women and children, the statement noted.
UNHCR is working closely with WFP. UNICEF. Bangladesh Red Crescent, and MSF lo arrange food, water, shelter, sanitation and health service* In the border areas Inundated by refugees.
Senior UNHCR staff members are already In Bangladesh and the Deputy Director of the Asia Bureau is flying tn Ilie area
m Geneva this weekend
Within the next few day. UNHCR will deploy additional field staff, a water-sanitation engineer and a site planner in the Cox’s Bazar area
Once a comprehensive assistance programme has been mapped out. substantial add! Uonal amounts from the emergency fund will be released followed by an appeal to donors, the statement added.
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