The US government’s foreign aid agency, USAID, has urged Bangladesh to facilitate education and training for Rohingyas as a medium- and long-term solution.
In a meeting with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen in Washington, USAID Administrator Mark Green expressed concern for the future of Rohingyas and the host communities.
“He urged the Government of Bangladesh to enable access for the Rohingya to medium- and longer-term interventions, such as education and training,” said USAID Acting Spokesperson Tom Babington in a statement released on Wednesday (Apr 10).
Lauding Bangladesh’s continued hospitality and generosity in hosting one million Rohingyas, the USAID Administrator reiterated the US commitment to helping people in Burma and Bangladesh affected by the ongoing violence in Rakhine State.
While Bangladesh continues to host Rohingyas, its own resources and livelihoods have been under strain.
“We do not have Rohingya teachers to educate or train refugees in the camps. We are providing some education, but we would want the Rohingya to eventually return to their country,” an official told the Bangla Tribune.
Momen briefed USAID’s Green about relocation of 100,000 Rohingyas from Cox’s Bazar to Bhashan Char, an island that Bangladesh made habitable at own expense. He said that the Rohingyas will have livelihood opportunities in Bhashan Char.
He also reiterated that it is critical to create international pressure on the Myanmar military so that they stop persecution of the Rohingyas and create conducive environment to facilitate their safe return.
“He urged upon the US administration to solicit support on Rohingya issues from the countries who maintain close economic and commercial ties with Myanmar and together create pressure on Myanmar to take back its nationals from Bangladesh as per agreements signed,” said Bangladesh embassy spokesperson Shamim Ahmad.
Myanmar says it has been ready to accept returning refugees since January, but the United Nations says conditions are not yet right for their return. The Rohingya say they want guarantees over their safety and to be recognised as citizens before returning.
Last month Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque informed the UN Security Council that his country is not in a position to accommodate more Rohingyas.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has, however, also assured the international community that the Rohingyas will not be forced to leave and it supports their voluntary return to their homeland.
Experts believe even if Rohingyas return at a fast pace, Bangladesh will likely host a significant number of them for several years.

"In projected scenarios, even if repatriation started tomorrow, a significant portion of the Rohingya would still be in Cox’s Bazar 10 years from now," says Cindy Huang of the Centre for Global Development.