Noting that global monetary assistance has reduced since the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, he said, “Therefore, the Rohingyas are now becoming a huge burden for a small country like Bangladesh.”
Sheikh Hasina said that about 40,000 of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals were pregnant women at the time of the mass exodus.
He said the government and people of Bangladesh mainly provided them food and shelter.
“Despite six years having passed, Myanmar has not done anything concrete and practical to take back its citizens, even though they had earlier agreed to do so,” he said.
As a result, he said, Myanmar citizens are living miserable lives in camps in Bangladesh.
He also said, “Even the Rohingya are now involved in criminal acts including drug, weapons and human trafficking and internal conflicts that sometimes lead to bloodshed.”
The Prime Minister said that he has made arrangements for better accommodation facilities for the Rohingyas in Bhashanchar Island.
“Some Rohingyas have already been rehabilitated in Bhashanchar. They are very well there as we have arranged food, medical facilities, education and employment for them,” he said.
He also said that the Rohingya are divided into some small groups.
“If one group wants to communicate, the other group creates obstacles,” he said.
On January 30, the delegation will visit Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar to reaffirm Bangladesh’s generous hosting of persecuted Rohingyas from Myanmar and its support for resolution of the long-running Rohingya crisis.
The delegation, which arrived in Dhaka on January 27, is scheduled to leave for London on January 31.
PM’s Personal Advisor on Industry and Investment Salman Fazlur Rehman, Ambassador-at-Large M Ziauddin, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Secretary M Salauddin were present.
