No way home yet: Diplomatic missions call for coordinated, long-term strategy on Rohingya crisis
Australia, Canada, Denmark, the EU, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued the joint statement as the Rohingya crisis enters its 10th year.
As the Rohingya crisis enters its 10th year, diplomatic missions based in Dhaka today (25 August) said they must ensure that the Rohingya people are not forgotten.
Creating the conditions for return will require a strategic, coordinated and long-term approach to address the root causes of displacement, build trust between communities and support greater peace and stability in Myanmar, said the missions in a joint statement.
"We will continue to amplify the voices of Rohingya communities, pursue justice and accountability and work with Bangladesh and international partners to sustain global support," they said.
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Australia, Canada, Denmark, the EU, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued the joint statement marking the anniversary.
Nine years after the mass displacement of Rohingya from Myanmar, nearly 1.3 million Rohingya refugees remain in Bangladesh.
"On this anniversary, we pay tribute to the resilience, courage and dignity of Rohingya communities in the face of ongoing displacement and hardship. We also express our gratitude to the government and people of Bangladesh for their generosity in providing refuge for nearly a decade," said the missions in their joint statement.
Rohingya refugees have a right to return to their homes in Myanmar, they said.
Regrettably, conflict is escalating across Rakhine State and humanitarian need is rising, the missions said, adding that deepening insecurity, airstrikes on civilian infrastructure and the Myanmar authorities' blockades on aid and trade are worsening the humanitarian crisis.
"This instability is driving further displacement into Bangladesh and across the region, leading to tragic loss of life through dangerous sea crossings. These conditions do not currently allow for voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation," the statement read.
Successful repatriation will also require equipping Rohingyas with the education and skills they will need to rebuild their homes, livelihoods and communities in Rakhine, it added.
The partner countries said they will continue to work with Bangladesh to find pathways towards building the conditions for repatriation.
"Until then, we remain committed to supporting Rohingyas in Bangladesh and the communities who host them, including through strengthening their self-reliance," they said.
The future of the Rohingya response depends not only on sustaining humanitarian assistance, but on improving how it is delivered.
"We support efforts to strengthen local leadership and increase the role of Bangladeshi and refugee-led actors in shaping and delivering assistance. Rohingya voices must be at the centre of decisions that affect their lives and futures," said the diplomatic missions.
