United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday reiterated his call to the international community to provide more support for Rohingyas to avoid humanitarian disasters in refugee camps in Bangladesh, BSS and UNB reported.
"I strongly appeal to the international community to allow us to avoid any tragedy," he said at a joint briefing at a city hotel together with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain.
António Guterres called upon the international community to take greater responsibility and provide necessary financial and political support for both the refugees and their host communities.
As the country undergoes important reforms and transitions, Guterres assured that the UN stands ready to assist in fostering peace, national dialogue, trust and healing.
"You can count on the UN to be your steadfast partner, working alongside the people of Bangladesh to help build a sustainable and equitable future for all," said the UN chief.
He underscored Bangladesh’s extraordinary generosity in responding to the Rohingya crisis.
The Secretary-General said as they come together in this sacred month of Ramadan, it is more important than ever to focus on solidarity and shared humanity.
In this spirit, he said, they will continue standing with the people of Bangladesh as ‘you navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead’.
"I am deeply honoured to share this moment with you. May this Ramadan bring peace, blessings, and renewed hope to all," Guterres said.
For years, he said, the people of this nation, especially the communities in Cox’s Bazar, have hosted over a million refugees fleeing violence and persecution.
By offering Rohingya refugees sanctuary, Bangladesh has demonstrated solidarity and human dignity, often at significant social, environmental and economic cost, he said.
"The world must not take this generosity for granted. I will continue to urge the international community to take greater responsibility and provide the necessary financial and political support for both the refugees and their host communities," Guterres said.
bd-pratidin/GR
