Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland have jointly called on the world for working together towards ensuring a voluntary, safe, dignified return of the Rohingya refugees to Rakhine state in Myanmar.
"The international community must work jointly to urge and support steps by Myanmar towards a situation where this will be possible," the heads of the countries' missions said in a joint statement today (Thursday).
Danish Ambassador Winnie Petersen, Norwegian Ambassador Sidsel Bleken, Swedish Ambassador Charlotta Schlyter and Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Rene Holenstein made the statement after visiting Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday and Thursday.
They also called for ensuring a safe and secure situation in the camps and the surroundings, in which refugees and host communities are protected and can feel safe.
The envoys reiterated "our high appreciation of the continued humanitarian and other assistance provided to the Rohingya refugee population by the Government and the people of Bangladesh, including by the local communities around Cox’s Bazar".
They commended the excellent work done by the humanitarian agencies in facing this crisis.
"The strong collaboration between the Bangladeshi Government, local actors and the international community through the UN, INGOs and NGOs has been key to this response," they said.
The diplomats said the UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs involved in the humanitarian response are playing instrumental roles in Cox’s Bazar, not only to alleviate the suffering of the refugee population but also to support the host communities.
"We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to continue its close collaboration with the humanitarian organizations to preserve humanitarian operational space and to enable them to function in a free and unimpeded manner and in a safe and secure environment."
Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas and most of them entered Bangladesh fleeing Myanmar since August 25, 2017, when a military-led crackdown ensued in the country in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents.
