By Shakir Husain
NEW DELHI, March 15 (Bernama) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had an iftar with Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh on Friday and raised serious concerns over aid cuts for more than one million people of the ethnic community who fled persecution in Myanmar.
The UN chief, accompanied by Bangladesh Interim Government's Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, said more resources are needed to support Rohingya refugees and the Bangladeshi communities hosting them in Cox's Bazar, home to the world's largest refugee camp.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) on March 7 warned it would be forced to slash monthly rations to Rohingya refugees from US$12.5 to US$6 per person without receiving urgent new funding.
"I have to confess that we are on the verge of a deep humanitarian crisis with the announced cuts by several countries of their financial assistance, we are facing a dramatic risk," Guterres said in his remarks.
The UN chief described his visit to Cox's Bazar as "a mission of solidarity" during the holy month of Ramadan.
"Fasting and having an iftar together with you are the proof of my deep respect for your religion and your culture. I am here to shine a global spotlight on the plight -- but also the potential of Rohingya refugees," he said.
Guterres highlighted the Rohingya community's decades-long suffering in Myanmar, but said they are resilient people who deserve the world's support.
"After decades of discrimination and persecution, we had a massive outflow eight years ago, following the massacres that took place in Rakhine state," he said.
Bangladesh received several hundred thousand Rohingya refugees in August and September 2017 following atrocities by Myanmar security forces.
The then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, described the situation as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing".
Myanmar is now in the grip of an expanding civil war, with many rebel forces controlling vast areas of the Southeast Asian country.
The Arakan Army (AA), one of the many anti-junta groups, has also targeted the Rohingya people in Rakhine.
About 70,000 Rohingya refugees crossed into Bangladesh last year.
Guterres, who last visited Cox's Bazar in 2018, on Friday interacted with many refugees, including women and children, at the Ukhiya camp.
"Many shared harrowing accounts of their ordeals in Myanmar and their journeys here. They want to go home -- Myanmar is their homeland. And returning in a safe, voluntary, and dignified manner is the primary solution to this crisis," the UN chief said.
He asked Myanmar's warring factions to protect civilians, uphold international humanitarian law, prevent further incitement and pave the way for democracy.
"The solution must be found in Myanmar. We will not give up until conditions allow for the voluntary, safe and sustainable return for all refugees here," Guterres said.
"Until then, I urge the international community not to reduce the support to Rohingya refugees," he added.
-- BERNAMA
