UN Secretary-General António Guterres has promised to ensure that sufficient funds are secured for Rohingya humanitarian aid to prevent further suffering. Speaking to reporters at the Balukhali Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar on Friday, Guterres stated, “I can promise that we’ll do everything to avoid it, and I will be talking to all the countries in the world that can support us to make sure that funds are made available.”
The UN chief emphasized the need for continued international support, warning against forgetting the plight of the Rohingya. He stated that the Rohingya urgently need aid to live with dignity in Bangladesh. “We cannot accept that the international community forgets about the Rohingya,” he added, stressing the importance of raising his voice to ensure global action.
Guterres also highlighted the need for efforts to bring peace to Myanmar, where the Rohingyas were displaced. “The Rohingyas want to go back to Myanmar, and it’s essential that the international community does everything to ensure peace and respect for their rights in Myanmar,” he said.
During his visit, Guterres toured several UN-run facilities, including the International Organization for Migration’s Rohingya cultural memorial center in Camp 18, Ukhiya. He arrived in Cox’s Bazar on Friday afternoon with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus to attend various events, including a visit to the Rohingya camp.
The two leaders were received by Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam Bir Protik upon their arrival. They will join refugees for an Iftar, hosted by Prof Yunus, as part of Guterres’ Ramadan solidarity visit. The UN chief expressed his commitment to standing in solidarity with the Rohingya, stating, “Every Ramadan, I spend time with Muslim communities living in difficult circumstances, to observe the fast with them and help shine a spotlight on their plight.”
Earlier in the day, Guterres held a bilateral meeting with Prof Yunus at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Dhaka, where they discussed the Rohingya crisis and other mutual interests. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain also met Guterres prior to the meeting.
On Saturday, Guterres is scheduled to meet with youth and civil society representatives in Dhaka and hold a joint press conference with Foreign Adviser Hossain before departing Bangladesh on Sunday morning.
