Put global focus back on Rohingya crisis: Dr Yunus

Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus spends a busy time in Davos while attending the World Economic Forum annual meeting. UNB

Davos (Switzerland), Jan 22  - Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday called for putting the global focus back on the Rohingya crisis, saying the influx of about 100,000 more refugees has added further burden on Bangladesh.

"The situation is getting complicated. They are pushing more Rohingyas to Bangladesh," he said when UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi met him on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in the Swiss city.

Dr Yunus sought support from the UN Refugee Agency - UNHCR - to find a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis and the Rohingya crisis and hosting a major global conference on the issue later this year.

Grandi said his agency would support Bangladesh in its quest to find a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis.

"We stand ready to cooperate with you," Grandi said after the chief adviser sought his support for addressing the Rohingya crisis, in particular, hosting the major global conference on the issue.

The idea of such a conference was initiated by Chief Adviser Dr Yunus during his statement in the UN General Assembly in September 2024 to find out a sustainable and peaceful solution to the Rohingya issue.

"Your voice will be more critical," Prof Yunus said.

Grandi thanked the chief adviser for allowing the Rohingyas to use better materials to build their shelters.

Previously, the Rohingyas were only allowed to make shelters with bamboo and tarpaulins.

During the meeting, they also discussed the humanitarian situation inside Myanmar's Rakhine State, where the rebel group, the Arakan Army, was fighting against the Myanmar military.

The chief adviser said he has appointed a high representative for the Rohingya crisis, and he is coordinating among all the government and international agencies. - UNB