New york: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday in anticipation of a high-level international conference on the Rohingya crisis at the United Nations headquarters.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the discussions between Grandi and Yunus focused on critical aspects of the Rohingya crisis. They addressed the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, recent cuts in international aid affecting over one million Rohingyas in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar, and ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of Rohingya to their homeland.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus highlighted that approximately 150,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh over the past 18 months, worsening the already challenging humanitarian situation and increasing regional tensions. He expressed optimism that the upcoming international conference, the first of its kind dedicated solely to the Rohingya issue, would produce a definitive roadmap for resolving the crisis.
Professor Yunus also noted that the event is expected to rally international support, particularly in mobilizing essential funding for the over one million Rohingyas currently residing in Bangladesh. Grandi commended the recent regional conference in Cox’s Bazar, where Rohingya community leaders participated for the first time in the discussions.
Grandi urged Bangladesh to strengthen its diplomatic outreach, especially with major global powers, to work towards a sustainable solution to the crisis. During the meeting, Dr Khalilur Rahman, National Security Adviser, updated the UNHCR chief on the ongoing verification process of Rohingyas in Bangladesh, stating that approximately 250,000 Rohingyas have been verified to date.