On Sunday (28 August 2022) the Home minister Asaduzzamman Khan Kamal said, “The United States has expressed interest in taking the Rohingyas. For which we are checking the countries that have expressed interest in Rohingyas resettlement.”
“Today it was decided that if any other country, including the United States, expressed interest, they would have to look at the amount they would take. We are looking into them. We have not received any proposals yet,” Kamal said adding more that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working on it. If anyone shows interest, Bangladesh will ask them to take in large numbers to quickly end the refugee crisis.
Home Minister said this at the end of the fifth meeting of the National Committee on Coordination, Management and Law and Order of Forcefully Displaced Myanmar Citizens.
Highlighting other decisions taken in the meeting, Asaduzzaman Khan said, “Fire incidents are happening repeatedly inside the camp. We are investigating why they are happening. Besides, the decision has been taken regarding what is required for further capacity building.”
Stating that the security fence around the Rohingya camp is nearing completion, the Minister said, “There is still some patrolling road left, towards the end. The watchtower will be there. I am making arrangements so that they are under constant surveillance.”
Asaduzzaman Khan said, “The work of making an SOP for birth control inside the camp is going on. Ministry of Health and Family Planning, Islami Foundation is working on this. Door to door volunteers are working and creating awareness. The imam of the mosque and NGOs are also giving advice in this regard.
It has been decided to make the registration of fishing trawlers mandatory in the Naf river which is our drug smuggling route. The operation to stop drug smuggling inside and outside the camp will be intensified.
Regarding the progress of returning the Rohingyas, Asaduzzaman Khan said, “We have been discussing with Myanmar since day one. I also personally discussed with the then head of government, Aung San Suu Kyi, as our foreign minister did. I am going to the negotiating table by all means so that it end quickly, I have continued my efforts. Hopefully, we can end this problem.
