Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh IWAMA Kiminori paid a three-day official visit to Bhasan Char from 5 to 7 March, where over 30,000 Rohingya people “forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals” reside. 

This was his second visit to Bhsaan Char, read a press release on Thursday (March 7). 

Ambassador IWAMA visited the 20-bed Hospital, a school, a Multi-purpose centre, WASH facilities, water quality testing laboratory, and attended a library opening, hand-over ceremony of UNICEF, and an inauguration ceremony of Grassroot Grant. 

He also discussed with Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, Camp in Charge, and exchanged views with UN agencies.

Since the large influx in August 2017, Japan has contributed over 220 million USD to various interventions in Cox's Bazar as well as in Bhasan Char through international organizations and NGOs. These assistances included food assistance, healthcare, WASH, shelter, protection, and gender mainstreaming.

Witnessing the ongoing activities in the field, Ambassador IWAMA said, "This is my second visit to the Rohingya camp in Bhasan Char, and I appreciate UNICEF who arranged this visit. I saw and understood the learning environment of school children in the camps, and I hope this learning opportunity will contribute to making the dream come true of many children”.

More than six years have already passed since the crisis, and it is essential to keep the attention of the global community, while multiple emergencies have been taking place in different parts of the world. Japan will continue to work toward the resolution of the Rohingya issue.

BDST: 1554 HRS, MAR 07, 2024
MN