A Number of foreign envoys stationed in Dhaka have appreciated the Bangladesh government for building the better facilities for the Rohingyas - the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) – living in Bhasan Char, an island in the Bay of Bengal, 37 miles from the mainland.
The observation was made while the Ambassadors of Japan, China, France, Indonesia and UN Resident Representative, UNHCR Representative and Officer-in-Charge of WFP in Bangladesh visited the island on Friday, foreign ministry sources said on Saturday.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen along with the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Finance Secretary, Disaster Management and Relief Secretary, Secretary to the Prime Minister and senior officials of the Prime Minister's Office accompanied the foreign envoys.
Soon after the arrival in Bhasan Char by helicopter, the Principal Secretary and Foreign Secretary delivered speech and RRRC & Project Director of Bhasan Char briefed the visiting delegation about the facilities and updates of FDMN living in Bhasan Char.
Later, the delegation inspected learning centers where Rohingya children receive education following Myanmar Curriculum, hospital, different skill development and capacity building activities, shelters, markets, play grounds etc. for the FDMNs.
The Ambassadors also applauded the exemplary humanitarian gesture of the Bangladesh government by sheltering the huge numbers of FDMNs and appreciated the better facilities for them in Bhasan Char.
UNB adds: Foreign envoys who visited Bhasan Char on Friday were impressed with facilities and scopes for Rohingyas available there, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, PM's Principle Secretary, Senior officials and Ambassadors of Japan, China, France, Indonesia and Resident Representatives of UN, UNHCR, WFP in Bangladesh visited Bhasan Char on February 17.
The visit to Bhasan Char was hosted to discuss progress on the island and support to the approximately 30000 Rohingya living there.
"Increasing community self-reliance is a priority, particularly given the increased humanitarian funding challenges," UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis tweeted.
Japanese Ambassador Iwama Kiminori, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy and Indonesian Ambassador Heru Hartanto Subolo reached Bhasan Char on a helicopter around 10:30am on Friday.
They were accompanied by UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Representative Johannes Van Der Klaauw and World Food Program Officer-in-Charge Simone Lawson Parchment.
Humayun Kabir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Bhasan Char Police Station, said the delegation including the ambassadors of four countries monitored the overall situation from 11 am to 3 pm.
They also talked to Rohingyas about their facilities, living standards and other issues, added the OC.