Bangladesh's top diplomat asked Muslim countries to do more for the Rohingya people yesterday. Md Touhid Hossain spoke at a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation held in Istanbul. He wants these nations to work together better to help the persecuted group from Myanmar. The foreign adviser said his country faces serious problems from hosting refugees. Bangladesh cannot handle the burden alone anymore.
More than one million Rohingya people live in camps across Bangladesh after fleeing violence in 2017. Another 118,000 refugees have arrived since last November as fighting got worse in Myanmar. These displaced people need food, shelter and medical care every day. The situation puts pressure on local communities and the environment around the camps.
Money for helping refugees keeps running short as global donors focus on other crises. Aid groups have cut food portions twice because of funding gaps. UNICEF closed schools for refugee children earlier this month due to budget problems. Bangladesh received just 68 percent of the money needed for refugee programs last year.
Hossain urged Islamic nations to support Gambia's court case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. He said legal action could convince Rohingya families that returning home might be safe someday. The Arakan Army group controls most of Rakhine state where the refugees came from.
A major conference about the Rohingya crisis will happen in New York during September. Bangladesh hopes many Muslim countries will attend and promise more help. The foreign adviser said his nation has done more than its fair share for the refugees.
More than one million Rohingya people live in camps across Bangladesh after fleeing violence in 2017. Another 118,000 refugees have arrived since last November as fighting got worse in Myanmar. These displaced people need food, shelter and medical care every day. The situation puts pressure on local communities and the environment around the camps.
Money for helping refugees keeps running short as global donors focus on other crises. Aid groups have cut food portions twice because of funding gaps. UNICEF closed schools for refugee children earlier this month due to budget problems. Bangladesh received just 68 percent of the money needed for refugee programs last year.
Hossain urged Islamic nations to support Gambia's court case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. He said legal action could convince Rohingya families that returning home might be safe someday. The Arakan Army group controls most of Rakhine state where the refugees came from.
A major conference about the Rohingya crisis will happen in New York during September. Bangladesh hopes many Muslim countries will attend and promise more help. The foreign adviser said his nation has done more than its fair share for the refugees.
