Rohingya refugees who were relocated to Bhasanchar from Cox's Bazar are now getting involved in income-generating activities.
A non-governmental organisation (NGO) is providing vocational training to some 200 Rohingyas on this island.
Many women are now involved in poultry and handicrafts while many of the male persons have started selling goods in designated markets here.
At least 7,000 Rohingya people have already been relocated to this island from refugee camps in Cox's Bazar in three phases since December 4 last year.
As per the government's plan, around 0.1 million Rohingya refugees will be relocated to Bhasanchar.
Commenting on the issue, Commodore Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury, director of the Bhasanchar project, told the FE that engaging Rohingyas in the income-generating activities in Bhasanchar is now their main priority.
He also said Rohingyas will be involved in dairy, agriculture, poultry, handicrafts, tourism, and other sectors.
Around 900 acres of land is now available in the project area for setting up readymade garment units where the entire Rohingya people can be employed.
It will be very convenient for the entrepreneurs to ship their products elsewhere from this island, he added.
Bhasanchar, a 13,000-acre island in the Bay of Bengal, is near Noakhali coast. It takes a navy ship two and a half hours to reach here.
According to the officials, one of the main objectives of the relocation is to involve Rohingyas in economic activities.
Apart from decongesting the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, the relocation will help the Rohingyas earn money, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told the FE.
As crime-related incidents are growing in Cox's Bazar camps, decongestion has become a must, he added.
When they will be involved in economic activities, they will not be engaged in illegal means to earn money, he pointed out.
In another development, over 40 local NGOs are now providing various kinds of support to Rohingyas in Bhasanchar.
Initially, the number of NGOs was only 22 as the United Nations (UN) and affiliated voluntary organizations are yet to start their activities there.
The UN agencies have long been opposing the relocation plan. But they might change their position after the visit by the UN technical team, said Commodore Mamun.
BRAC, the country's leading NGO, may start their activities in Bhasanchar soon, he added.
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