On 7 February 2023, the Queen of Belgium visited world largest refugee camp in Ukhiya. She met Rohingya women, men, and youth and learned about their challenges, concerns, hopes and dreams for the future.
She has visited Bangladesh as an advocate for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN Secretary Council.
During the visit to a Rohingya camp, her royal highness met refugee children and their teachers at an education center, and adolescent Rohingya refugees; where she was briefed on the important steps in introducing the Myanmar curriculum and the various training challenges as well as infrastructure development and reforestation in the area deforested from Rohingya sheltering.
More than 940,000 Rohingya refugees have been generously sheltered in Cox’s Bazar by the government and people of Bangladesh. The densely populated refugee camp is located south of Cox’s Bazar, a place heavily affected by regular natural disasters. “The Queen’s visit is significant at a time when financial aid and funding are drastically reduced in the sixth year of the Rohingya crisis,” said Johannes Van Der Klaau, UNHCR’s representative in Bangladesh.
“This visit will help us keep the world’s attention on one of the biggest refugee crisis in the world. In addition, it will provide critical support to Rohingya in life-saving and essential life-saving protection, particularly for women and children to prevent gender-based violence and continue to provide vital services to address mental health issues.” Johannes said.
The Queen of Belgium met refugee children and Rohingya women volunteers working to prevent and combat gender-based violence; And Rohingya refugees participated in discussions with psychosocial counselors to learn more about the mental health situation in their communities.
