CA Yunus, UN chief Guterres in Cox's Bazar to visit Rohingyas
In Cox's Bazar, Yunus and Guterres will join an Iftar later today with around 100,000 Rohingyas and members of the local host community
Highlights:
- CA Yunus and UN Chief Guterres arrived at Cox's Bazar Airport at 12:50pm
- Guterres departed for Rohingya camps at 1:10pm, arriving around 2:00pm
- Both leaders to observe refugee camps from watch tower and receive briefings
- 100,000 Rohingyas will have Iftar in open space with Guterres expressing solidarity
- UN chief scheduled to meet with Rohingya community leaders, youth, and women
Chief Adviser (CA) Muhammad Yunus and United Nations Secretary General António Guterres arrived in Cox's Bazar to visit the Rohingya camps today (14 March).
A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying Yunus, Guterres, and officials concerned landed at Cox's Bazar Airport at around 12:50pm.
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Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam received them at the airport. Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin, Cox's Bazar Superintendent of Police Saifuddin Shaheen, were present among others.
During his visit, the chief adviser inspected two sites of the under-construction international airport. He was briefed on the latest situation and progress of the work with a summary presentation by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) officials.
The officials informed him that 95% of the work for the construction of the international airport had been completed. The remaining work is expected to be finished by December this year.
Once operational, the airport will accommodate 40 to 50 aircraft takeoffs and landings daily, said the officials.
After the airport inspection, Yunus visited the BIAM Foundation near Cox's Bazar beach, where he participated in an exchange meeting with senior administrative officials, civil society representatives, businesspeople, student representatives, NGO representatives, and other distinguished individuals.
Following the meeting, the chief adviser is scheduled to visit the Khurushkul shelter project. From there, he would travel to the Rohingya camps by helicopter.
Meanwhile, the UN secretary general departed for the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya by car at 1:10pm. "He arrived at the camps around 2pm," said Additional Superintendent of Cox's Bazar Police Jasim Uddin Chowdhury.
After reaching Ukhiya, Guterres spoke to Rohingya children at a learning centre in the Balukhali refugee camp (camp-18) .
Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said both the chief adviser and UN secretary general will observe the current state of the refugee camps from a watch tower.
"They will then be briefed on the overall situation. Representatives from UN agencies, including UNHCR, WFP, and IOM will present updates on their service activities, particularly highlighting reduced food assistance and the resulting food crisis," he added.
"During the visit, the UN secretary general will visit UNHCR and WFP service and relief distribution centres. He will also participate in three separate meetings with Rohingya community leaders, youth, and women representatives," Mizanur added.
Guterres will join an Iftar event organised by the chief adviser for over 100,000 Rohingyas at the Camp-20 Extension helipad area in the evening. Mizapur said preparations for the iftar event had already been completed.
Mizanur Rahman said the Rohingyas will have Iftar in an open space at the foot of the hills, and the UN secretary general will express solidarity with the Rohingyas by sharing water and dates with them.
However, no canopy tents have been set up for the Rohingyas.
When asked about what items would be included in the Iftar, Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salauddin said conventional Iftar items would be served.
"This is not an Iftar party. The UN secretary general is visiting during Ramadan. So he will express solidarity," he explained.
Salauddin also said plastic sheets had been laid out at the foot of the hills for seating arrangements. "Seating arrangements have been made [with canopies installed] in some places, but the Rohingyas will join the Iftar from the hilltops and hillsides," he added.
The UN secretary general and chief adviser are scheduled to return to Dhaka in the evening.
The UN secretary general will visit the UN Common Premises in Dhaka tomorrow (15 March), where he will raise the UN official flag, observe a photo exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-UN relations, and attend a meeting with UN staff.
In the afternoon, he will join a discussion on Bangladesh's reform process at the Hotel InterContinental. He is also expected to participate in a dialogue with youths and meet with members of civil society.
Chief Adviser Yunus will host an Iftar and dinner in honour of the UN chief on the same day.
On Sunday morning (16 March), Guterres will leave Dhaka on an Emirates flight.
