Members of the JCIAD (Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Dhaka) including Mr. TAKAHASHI Naoki, Minister, DCM (Deputy Chief of Mission) of the Embassy of Japan to Bangladesh, visited the Rohingya facilities in Bhasan Char from November 9 to 12, where over 35,000 Rohingya Refugees reside. 

Through this visit program arranged by the WFP, the delegation had exchanged views with the Camp-in-Charge from the Government of Bangladesh, the Navy, as well as UN agencies. 

They visited an e-voucher outlet, a fresh food market, the Integrated Health and Nutrition Facility, the NGO Production Center, waste management and recycling facilities. They attended a handover ceremony at a school run by UNICEF Integrated Education Program and WFP School Feeding Program, where the JCIAD donated school supplies. 

Since the large influx of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh 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, providing assistance such as food, healthcare, WASH, shelter, protection, and gender mainstreaming.

Witnessing ongoing activities in the field, Minister TAKAHASHI said, "With our visit this time, Japan has become the first country to dispatch a delegation composed jointly of business people and government officials to Bhasan Char. The visit program arranged by WFP offered a meaningful opportunity for us to deepen our understanding of the situation on the ground and the various challenges that Rohingya refugees are facing here. I hope that Japanese assistance will continue to contribute to improving the humanitarian situation in Bhasan Char”.

More than seven years have already passed since the onset of the Rohingya refugee crisis in August 2017. It is essential to keep raising awareness of the international community. Japan will continue to work toward the resolution of the Rohingya humanitarian crisis.

BDST: 1843 HRS, NOV 13, 2024
MSK