Porimol Palma and Mohammad Ali Jinnat

Rohingya leaders, who went on a “go-and-visit” to Bhashan Char housing project, said they were happy with the facilities there and that those were far better than their current living conditions in Teknaf and Ukhiya camps.

Badrul Islam, a community leader of Nayapara refugee camp-26 in Teknaf, said the three days they spent in Bhashan Char were an amazing experience.

“The overall arrangements of Bhashan Char are laudable. I liked it. Security arrangements are also strong. There is a peaceful environment all around. The road communications are also good,” he told The Daily Star by phone upon his return.

One concern, Badrul said, however, is that they will have to stay far from the close relatives living in the camps.

On August 5, a team of 40 Rohingyas reached Bhashan Char, an island in Noakhali’s Hatiya upazila, under the supervision of Bangladesh Army and Navy and it was coordinated by the Refugee Rehabilitation and Repatriation Commissioner’s (RRRC) office.