Dhaka: A high-level delegation from The Nippon Foundation and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) of Japan, currently visiting Bangladesh, met with the State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, M. Iqbal Hossain, at his Secretariat office. The delegation was led by Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during the meeting, the two sides focused on the current situation of the Rohingyas residing in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, highlighting their ongoing humanitarian assistance programs and the escalating international funding crisis. The discussion recognized that diminishing foreign humanitarian aid and funding have made it increasingly challenging to uphold essential services for the Rohingyas, including food and nutrition, healthcare, water and sanitation, protection, shelter, and other emergency humanitarian activities.
In light of these challenges, participants emphasized the necessity for continued, adequate, and long-term foreign funding to meet the basic humanitarian needs of the Rohingyas. The Bangladeshi representatives specifically called for stronger collaboration from The Nippon Foundation and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation to maintain humanitarian assistance programs for the Rohingyas and to help mitigate the funding shortfall.
The meeting also highlighted that a sustainable resolution to the Rohingya crisis lies in their rapid, safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation to their place of origin. The delegation urged for continued international cooperation and support to achieve this goal.
The visiting delegation reiterated its commitment to support ongoing programs for the Rohingyas and expressed hope to expand areas of cooperation in the future. The meeting further underscored the importance of enhancing coordination and effective partnerships between the Bangladesh government, foreign donors, and development partners to address the Rohingya crisis.
Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md. Saiful Islam, along with members of the Japanese delegation including Horinawa, Director of the Center for Mediation Support at Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and Shota Nakayasu, Secretary to the Honorary Chair and General Manager of The Nippon Foundation, were present at the meeting.