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Dr Bokhtiar Ahmed , professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Rajshahi
I personally witnessed the influx of Rohingya in the 1990s as a young member of the host community. At that time, there were few NGO professionals and hardly any local people working in crisis management operations. However, now there is an unprecedented number of people from the host community working for many NGOs.
Fortunately, Bangladesh had the necessary development sector expertise, with professionals experienced in emergency response and humanitarian efforts, to effectively handle the large influx of Rohingya in September 2017. As a result, Bangladesh was able to respond well to the situation despite facing other limitations.
Dr Helal Mohiuddin , professor, Department of Political Science and Sociology, North South University
In this discussion, the RRRC mentioned that the upcoming strategic plan for the Rohingya response is being designed based on the demographic shift of the Rohingya population. However, I believe it would be wise to base the strategic plan on the long-term management of the emerging protection situation, considering government policies, diplomatic relations, and other factors. The plan should address issues such as localization, overlapping, repetition, inconsistency, and duplicity in policy direction.
Our research has revealed that adolescent Rohingya boys in the camps are the most neglected group in terms of development interventions. This lack of support increases their risk of involvement in radical activities, which is harmful not only to the Rohingya community but also to the host community.
Therefore, it is important to develop leadership within the Rohingya community so that their voices can be heard and their perspectives considered. Currently, their voices are largely missing from discussions and decision-making processes.
Dr ASM Amanullah , professor, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka
There is a lack of coordination in the health services in the Rohingya camps, as demonstrated by various studies of these camps. It is important to disseminate important research findings to donors and development partner communities for a better understanding and future planning.
Bangladesh has not ratified the 1951 Convention or the 1967 Protocol, and there is a question of how to mobilize resources in the camps to generate employment and take local resource mobilization initiatives if the Rohingyas are not considered refugees and international donors use the term “refugee.” Bangladesh should accede to the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol.
It is also important to consider the increase in noncommunicable diseases in the Rohingya camps. Our dietary study in the camps found that there is nutrition and food security, but there is a lack of dietary diversity. Additionally, there is an unmet need for family planning services, mental health services, and trauma services, in addition to basic needs such as education.
Mia Mohammad Mainul Kabir , director general (Myanmar), Ministry of Foreign Affairs
NGOs and donor agencies, at times, acknowledge the lack of coordination among themselves in terms of their humanitarian operations in the camps. To address this, there needs to be effective coordination among all actors involved in the Rohingya response. This can be achieved by combining the government’s direction and donor mechanisms to ensure transparency and proper coordination.
It is clear that all Rohingyas are interested in returning home, and the situation in Rakhine needs to improve. Therefore, donors and UN agencies should boost their engagement there to ensure that the Rohingyas can return safely and sustainably to their homeland.
Bangladesh and UN agencies have agreed on a couple of new initiatives, including skill development programs, volunteer engagement for the Rohingyas. The skill development framework will enhance the skills of the Rohingyas in sectors that they were engaged in Rakhine before their forced displacement, such as agricultural work. In addition, Rohingya children are learning inside the camps following the Myanmar curriculum.
Dr Imtiaz Ahmed , professor of International Relations, University of Dhaka
It is important to include the Rohingyas in discussions about strategies that affect them. The Center for Genocide Studies has collected extensive data on violence over the past decade and has also mapped violence in Rohingya camps. Contrary to what some may believe, these camps are actually safer than cities like New York or Chicago. In fact, the rate of gun violence in the United States is around 40,000 per year, while violence in Rohingya camps is significantly lower. This is due in part to the strong social resilience of the Rohingyas in these camps.
This year, there is a 300 million US Dollar deficit. As long as refugees and stateless people are here, UN agencies have responsibilities. The United States alone funded arms for the Ukraine war worth 20 billion dollars in one year, yet we are worrying about a deficit of 300 million. The annual transaction of Yaba drugs is between 30 and 60 billion US dollars, and the Myanmar military has a business interest in the Yaba trade. However, the rest of the world remains silent on this issue.
We must be realistic and consider whether we can implement a Marshall plan, in which the Myanmar state sees it as advantageous to address the needs of the Rohingyas, who they view as Arakani Muslims.