Another 613 Rohingyas reach Bhasan Char in Noakhali

Under the eighth phase of relocation, 613 forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals – also known as Rohingyas – have reached Bhasan Char in Noakhali district from Cox’s Bazar.

They embarked on two ships to their new destination on Saturday morning from boat club jetties of Chattogram, says the Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC). Bangladesh Navy officials and other departments concerned supervised the relocation process.

Ships carrying the Rohingyas and their belongings reached the island settlement at around 1 pm.

Speaking to The Business Post at the Boat Club Jetty, Navy officials said, “Undeterred by rumors centring the Bhasan Char settlement, the Rohingyas are happily moving there. The Bangladesh government has taken steps to fulfill all of their basic needs.

“Many Rohingyas are now interested in moving to Bhasan Char with confidence after learning about the activities of various international organisations including the United Nations and UNHCR there.”

Rohingyas interested in relocation were brought to the Ukhiya Degree College to be sent to Chattogram on Wednesday and Friday.

On Friday evening, 17 buses carrying the refugees arrived at the Air Force’s Zahurul Haque base in Patenga area under Chattogram. The displaced people were then taken to the Boat Club jetty to be picked up in ships on Saturday morning.

Additional Commissioner of Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner’s Office Mohammad Shamsuddoha said, “Relocation to Bhasan Char is now a routine activity, and the Rohingyas reached Bhasan Char without any disruption.

“The Rohingyas will be regularly sent from Camps in Cox’s Bazar to modern accommodation in Bhasan Char.”

The government has provided necessary food, clothing, medicine, and cash to the refugees. Everyone’s health has been checked before moving them from Cox’s Bazar, sources have said.

Bangladesh Navy implemented the project Ashryan-3 in Bhasan Char at a cost of Tk 3,100 crore for accommodating 1,00,000 Rohingyas, and as many as 18,000 have been relocated to the island so far.

Since August 25 in 2017, Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.1 million forcefully displaced Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar.