PM seeks UN support to relocate Rohingyas to Bhashanchar

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today sought United Nations (UN) assistance to relocate the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to the well-developed Bhashanchar as UN Resident Coordinator to Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis paid a courtesy call on her.

"As there is no certainty of sending Rohingyas back soon to their country, they should be relocated to the well-organised Bhashanchar and the UN can cooperate to this end," PM's Speechwriter M Nazrul Islam quoted her as saying.

Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the call on at PM's official Ganabhaban residence here this morning.

The prime minister said the Rohingyas are currently living a congested life in their camps in Cox's Bazar.

"If the Rohingyas can be relocated to the Bhashanchar, where accommodations for over one lakh people have been created with livelihoods, they can lead a dignified life in a livable atmosphere," she said.

In the Bhashanchar, there are arrangements for better livelihoods and education for the children of the Rohingyas with their native language, she added.

The prime minister said they have sheltered the huge number of Rohingyas in Bangladesh on the humanitarian ground, but they are now becoming a massive burden for Bangladesh.

She thanked the UN for extending cooperation to Bangladesh since Rohingyas took shelter here and hoped that they will continue the support.