Rohingya crisis: IOM concerned over lack of funding

Director General of International Organization for Migration (IOM) William Lacy Swing has expressed concern over lack of funding for dealing with Rohingya crisis which he termed as one of the greatest humanitarian challenges of their time.

The solidarity expressed by the international community has not been translated into sufficient support to the Rohingya people of Myanmar in Bangladesh, with the nearly $1 billion appeal only 26 per cent funded.

IOM to help BD repatriate Rohingyas, its DG tells PM
http://unb.com.bd/bangladesh-news/IOM-to-help-BD-repatriate-Rohingyas-its-DG-tells-PM/75489

He, however, praised the “extraordinary amount of work” being done to improve conditions in the world’s biggest refugee settlement in Cox’s Bazar district.

IOM Bangladesh office shared Swing’s observation in a tweet message.

“Today @IOMchief William Swing praised the “extraordinary amount of work” being done to improve conditions in the world’s biggest refugee settlement, but expressed concern over lack of funding for “one of the greatest humanitarian challenges of our time” #Rohingya,” IOM Bangladesh office tweeted.

The IOM DG visited Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar on Sunday.

“I am leaving with a sense of satisfaction and confidence that the organization is going to provide a complex spectrum of services and very quickly,” said IOM Bangladesh in another tweet message citing William Lacy Swing.

On Monday, William Swing met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed ways forward in the Rohinga refugee crisis.

The IOM DG, arrived here on Saturday on a three-day visit, is scheduled to leave Dhaka Monday night.

The number of people in need in Cox’s Bazar district is now 1.3 million with 706,364 new Rohingya arrivals since August 25 last year, according to IOM.

The UN migration agency in its last report published Thursday said heavy rain affected the shelters of 173 households in Teknaf and Ukhiya camps from July 6 to12.