For the displaced Rohingyas, the government has allotted Tk 4 billion for the second year; In addition, grants will also come.
Since Aug 25 till now, more than 10 lakh Rohingyas have taken refuge in Bangladesh. Finance minister said: “from the 2017-18 budget, Tk 3 billion has been given and there may be an additional Tk 1 billion for 2018-2019, making it 4 billion.”
Secretary of the ministry of disaster management and relief, Shah Kamal, told Bangla Tribune: “we did not designate any significant expenditure for the Rohingyas in the first year; all the expenses were borne by UNHCR, development agencies and other countries.”
Relevant sources say that World Bank will give Tk 5 billion as grant; however, to construct roads, toilets, latrines and to install tube-wells, more than Tk 2 billion was spent.
Around 4 thousand acres of forest land was decimated and almost three thousand military and non-military personnel are working in the camps. Their salaries and benefits are provided by the government.
The government will need an additional Tk 100 billion for Rohingyas and Bangladesh has asked World Bank, ADB and other international bodies for the huge amount of money needed. During an ADB meet held in the Philippines in May last, finance minister, AMA Muhith has requested the ADB president, Takihiko Nakao, to pay special attention to the issue.
The most money is spent for food, health and sanitation, sources say. And work is already underway in Bhashanchar to construct a permanent infrastructure.
ADB president has asked Bangladesh to maintain the international pressure, promising ADB’s constant support.
The government has undertaken a Tk 23.12 billion accommodation programme to rehabilitate the Rohingyas in Bhashanchar, with the tenure upto Nov 30, 2019.
The proposal says, 100,000 Rohingyas will be relocated to Bhashanchar in the 120 community villages. The government has already declared an allocation of Tk 18 billion.
Meanwhile, to fulfil the fundamental needs of the Rohingyas, 71 projects have been undertaken, for which, Tk 2 billion will be required.
Finance minister said: “Myanmar is a terrorist nation; they are at war with Bangladesh. That’s why we have asked the international community for a swift settlement of the issue.”
Development partners have agreed to form a development fund coordinated by World Bank and ADB, he added.
“We have also asked international quarters to take initiatives to ensure a safe passage back for the Rohingyas,” the FM said.