By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN head António Guterres on Friday vowed to do everything in his power to prevent further hardship of Rohingya lrefugees living in Bangladesh as drastic aid cuts threaten food supplies and other critical relief efforts during his visit to the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox Bazar southern Bangladesh.
He stressed that UN aid efforts are in jeopardy after funding cut announced by major donors, including the US and several European nations.
Mr. Guterres described Cox’s Bazar as “ground zero” for the impact of these cuts, warning of a looming humanitarian disaster if immediate action is not taken.
“We are at risk of cutting the food rations in this camp,” he said.
“That would be an unmitigated disaster that we cannot accept because people will suffer and even people will die.”
Mr. Guterres emphasized that his visit, which took place during the holy month of Ramadan, was a mission of solidarity with the Rohingya refugees and the Bangladeshi people who generously host them.
“I am here to shine a global spotlight on the plight – but also the potential of Rohingya refugees,” he said.
He reiterated “The more than one million Rohingya refugees here are proud. They are resilient. And they need the world’s support.”
He praised the support offered by Bangladesh and local communities who have shared their land, forests, water and resources with the refugees, called it nothing short of “enormous.”
According to UNHCR, Bangladesh is hosting over one million Rohingya refugees who fled violence in neighboring Myanmar.
The largest exodus followed brutal attacks by Myanmar security forces in 2017, a series of events that the then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein described as “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.”
Mr. Guterres emphasized that the international community cannot turn its back on the Rohingya crisis.
“We cannot accept that the international community forgets about the Rohingyas,” he said.
He added that he will “speak loudly” to world leaders that more support is urgently needed.
“It is essential that the international community does everything to make sure that peace is reestablished in Myanmar and that the rights of the Rohingyas are respected, that discrimination and persecution like the one we have witnessed in the past, will end.”
He stressed that the solution to the crisis “must be found in Myanmar.”
“We will not give up until conditions allow for the voluntary, safe and sustainable return for all refugees here.”
Mr. Guterres highlighted the dire conditions in the camps, worsened by climate change.
“These camps and the communities that host them are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Summers are scorching, and the chance of fires skyrocket. In the cyclone and monsoon seasons, floods and dangerous landslides destroy homes and lives,” he said.
He stressed the need for education, skills training and opportunities for the refugees, beyond immediate aid, warned that many families feel they have no option but to risk perilous sea journeys in search of a better future.
Mr. Guterres ended his visit to Cox’s Bazar by participating in an Iftar meal with Rohingya refugees.
“Fasting and having an Iftar together with you are proof of my deep respect for your religion and your culture,” he said.
He added “This is the holy month of Ramadan, the month of solidarity. It would be unacceptable that in the month of solidarity, the international community would reduce the support to the Rohingyas in Bangladesh.”
SG stressed that he would do everything to ensure it does not happen.
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