The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, highlighted the urgency of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Myanmar during a video briefing to the Security Council. He emphasized that the Kutupalong area in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, is now the world’s largest refugee settlement and that an estimated 107,000 refugees are living in flood and landslide-prone areas as the monsoon season approaches. Grandi called for increased international support to help Bangladesh prepare for and mitigate any potential disaster and stressed the need to find lasting solutions for the crisis within Myanmar itself. He also noted that current conditions are not conducive for the voluntary return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
The refugee crisis in Myanmar started in late August when military operations in Rakhine State forced thousands to flee to Bangladesh. Grandi stated that the underlying causes of flight have yet to be addressed, including the exclusion and denial of rights faced by the Rohingya over the years. He urged for an end to the violence, displacement, and statelessness, and for substantial measures to address the deep-seated exclusion experienced by the Rohingya.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca also addressed the Council and provided updates on three priorities laid out by the Secretary-General: ending violence, improving the security situation, and ensuring access to Rakhine State for humanitarian and human rights assessments. While acknowledging some progress, Jenca highlighted ongoing concerns about threats and intimidation and the lack of sufficient access for UN assessments. He also called for the authorities in Myanmar to act on the findings of the Advisory Board and respect freedom of expression and information. Undertaking voluntary, safe, and dignified returns of refugees and the arrested Reuters journalists was also emphasized as key steps forward in addressing the crisis.
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Source: https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2018/02/1002612
