The government of Bangladesh is going to cut expenditures in various sectors in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and in Bhasanchar in line with its austerity policy.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen gave the information after the 39th meeting of the National Task Force on the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals held at the foreign ministry in Dhaka on Sunday.
Representatives from UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, IOM, ISCG, UNRC, different ministries, agencies and RRC joined the meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen in the chair.
“More focus will be given to producing renewable energy to cut the use of diesel,” the foreign secretary told the newsmen following the meeting.
“For example, we can increase the use of solar energy in the camps,” he added.
“All sides emphasised on the urgency of prioritising efforts to repatriate Rohingya people to Rakhine at every forum,” he said while narrating the decisions of the meeting.
The meeting decided that the UN will set up its activities in Bhasanchar and the WFP will continue to distribute food on the island.
The meeting also focused on the family planning measures for the Rohingya refugees and it was decided that the UNFPA will strengthen its family planning efforts in the camps.
A policy document on this sector will be adopted in consultation with relevant ministries.
The meeting also discussed education facilities for the Rohingya children and it was decided that they will receive learning facilities from KG to Grade 9 following the Myanmar curriculum with the UN agencies boost their education-related activities in both Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
A decision was also taken to strengthen the activities of Rohingya and host community volunteers in the camp activities for proper management.
Both the UN and the government will gear up steps to provide skill development training to the Rohingya people, the meeting was told.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com