Bangladesh ‘not interested’ in foreign aid for Rohingyas

Reiterating that there is no alternative to Rohingya repatriation to Myanmar, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Sunday said Bangladesh is not interested in further financial aid on this particular issue from the World Bank or any other donor.

The minister made the comment at a roundtable on Rohingya refugee issue at the World Bank headquarters in the Washington DC, USA.

"We hope for a befitting solution and the international community has agreed with us," said Mustafa Kamal while urging the World Bank for support with Rohingya repatriation within the shortest possible time.

"Myanmar has already struck a deal with Bangladesh to take back their people. However, they did not mention any specific time frame for it. We believe the World Bank can help make a positive decision on the issue," he said at the event.

Minister Mustafa Kamal further said Bangladesh is now paying the price for accommodating the Rohingyas who fled Myanmar in the wake of military crackdown.

"The whole region, including Cox's Bazar is on the verge of an ecological disaster. The social and ecological damage in the host communities are undeniable. The Rohingyas must go back and this is our key demand," he said.

Adding that China, India and Japan are major players in solving the crisis, AHM Mustafa Kamal said, "We should not move forward on this issue without these countries. Bangladesh is optimistic that they [China, India and Japan] will help ensure a peaceful solution through discussion."

The World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region Hartwig Schafer, Bangladesh Economic Relations Division Secretary Monowar Ahmed and Finance Secretary Abdur Rouf Talukder were present at the programme among many others.

In separate meetings, the finance minister spoke with senior officials from the Citi Bank International and the HSBC Bank the same day.