The visiting Swiss President Alain Berset yesterday (Jan 6) called for full implementation of Kofi Annan Commission report to protect Rohingyas and ensure the safe and dignified return of the Rohingya refugees.
"A refugee crisis of this scale had put Bangladesh and the international community under enormous pressure to provide shelter and the most urgent services to more than 650,000 people," he said.
Berset expressed this view while talking to media following his visit to Kutupalong camps in the country's southern Cox's Bazar district, a Swiss embassy statement said here.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, Swiss Ambassador in Dhaka Rene Holenstein accompanied the Swiss President during his Cox's Bazar visit.
The Swiss President, who is currently in Bangladesh on a four-day official visit, travelled to Cox's Bazar this morning to gain a first-hand insight into the ongoing humanitarian refugee crisis.
He visited the Kutupalong Rohingya camp, where he met with Rohingya refugees who have fled Myanmar in recent months. He also visited the Cox's Bazar Sadar hospital which received Swiss contributions.
About Rohingya crisis, Berset said Switzerland is working closely with Bangladesh, UN agencies and other development partners to solve the crisis and ensure the safe and dignified return of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals.
He extended his appreciation for the enormous efforts being undertaken by Bangladesh government to host the communities from Myanmar.
Placing emphasis on the voluntary, safe and dignified return of the people to their places of origin, he expressed concern about the outlook for the younger generation and the situation of the women and children who need increased protection.
Earlier, the Swiss President went to the Cox's Bazar Sadar District Hospital to officially handover the Swiss contributions, including hospital beds and medical equipment support, to the hospital management.
He highlighted the important role played by the doctors and the staff of this hospital in providing much needed medical treatment to patients from the host community as well as the Rohingya arrivals.
Switzerland welcomes the progress made between the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh in working towards a lasting solution of the refugee crisis and underlines the need for any return of Rohingyas to Myanmar to be voluntary, safe and dignified.
The Swiss Humanitarian Aid has channelled 8 million Swiss Francs equivalent to US$ 8.5 million in 2017 in emergency humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya arrivals.
Switzerland will remain engaged in the humanitarian efforts also in 2018 with an additional support of US$12 million.
Support measures will benefit also the host community in the Cox's Bazar area, which has been affected by the refugee crisis, the statement said.

Source: BSS