The government and several NGOs are struggling to ensure healthcare for the Rohingyas who have been relocated to Bhasanchar from the Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp in Bangladesh.

The government and several NGOs are struggling to ensure healthcare for the Rohingyas who have been relocated to Bhasanchar from the Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp in Bangladesh. It is a challenge to bring critically ill patients from the island to any hospital on the mainland. The number of births and deaths in the last year is almost the same. The government, however, has been very successful in preventing the Covid-19 infection and vaccinating the Rohingya population. Team WION visited several vaccination centres. Rohingyas were seen coming to the vaccination centres to get inoculated. Two-thirds of the Rohingyas living in Bhasanchar have already been vaccinated. The government is now conducting various campaigns to vaccinate the entire Rohingya population. There is only one specialised hospital with just 20 beds on Bhahsanchar island for Rohingyas. A baby was hospitalised for several days with diarrhoea. The mother claimed that her child has become much better after receiving treatment and medicine from the hospital. "My baby got better after being given oxygen and injections. The doctors have treated him well," the mother said. Also read | Price surge in Pak galvanises opposition's plan to bring no-confidence vote against Imran Khan In another scenario, a woman who was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of kidney disease is not getting the required treatment. While speaking to WION, the woman said, "I have a kidney problem. It hurts a lot here. I'm in pain." Gonoshasthaya Kendra is working to ensure the well-being of Rohingyas with funding from UNHCR. Last week, for the first time in almost a year, a young paediatrician joined the Kendra. It has been noted that the doctors have been struggling to provide first aid, especially to patients who urgently need better treatment and are at high. According to the clinic manager, critically ill patients are often at risk of death due to the distance from the mainland to Bhasanchar island. There is also a lack of adequate transportation. As per Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission, 255 children have been born in Bhasanchar in the last year. In one year, 207 Rohingyas died in the camp. Most of those who died were children and the elderly. However, in the last few months, the death toll has dropped significantly. Despite all these challenges, the success achieved in the health sector in the last year is quite impressive. Bhasanchar is the only place where not a single Rohingya has been infected with Covid yet.

As govt aims to vaccinate the entire population, two-third Rohingya living in Bhasanchar already vaccinated

Five people have been killed in a clash between police and workers at an under-construction power plant&nbsp;in Chittagong District in Bangladesh. At least 25 people were injured. Four policemen have been seriously injured. Angry workers set fire to the power plant.

The power plant is located in Banshkhali Upazila of Chittagong district. The incident took place on Saturday morning when workers initiated a protest for their demands of&nbsp;salary and allowances ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, police said.

Banshkhali Police Station Inspector Azizul Islam said that power plant authorities had a dispute with the workers over salary and allowances.&nbsp;

On Saturday morning, when the police moved-in to control protesting workers, they were attacked. Four workers died in the ensuing clash&nbsp;while a fifth passed away at Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Faisal Karim, a doctor at the hospital confirmed this.

As per eyewitnesses, the police opened fire at one stage during the clash.

Earlier, on April 4, 2016, police had clashed with local villagers at&nbsp;the same power plant. Six people were killed in that incident on that day.

The 1,320 MW coal-fired thermal power plant is being constructed in&nbsp;a joint venture by&nbsp;S Alam Group and China's Sefco Company. The project is being set up on 600 acres of land.

Earlier, there were disputes over acquisition of&nbsp;land&nbsp;as well. Dissatisfied locals had alleged that S Alam group was acquiring land forcibly without any&nbsp;rehabilitation. There were also complaints of salt and shrimp farmers going out of business if the plant was built.

Five people have been killed in a clash between police and workers at an under-construction power plant in Chittagong District in Bangladesh. At least 25 people were injured.

Five people have been killed in a clash between police and workers at an under-construction power plant in Chittagong District in Bangladesh. At least 25 people were injured. Four policemen have been seriously injured. Angry workers set fire to the power plant. The power plant is located in Banshkhali Upazila of Chittagong district. The incident took place on Saturday morning when workers initiated a protest for their demands of salary and allowances ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, police said. Banshkhali Police Station Inspector Azizul Islam said that power plant authorities had a dispute with the workers over salary and allowances. On Saturday morning, when the police moved-in to control protesting workers, they were attacked. Four workers died in the ensuing clash while a fifth passed away at Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Faisal Karim, a doctor at the hospital confirmed this. As per eyewitnesses, the police opened fire at one stage during the clash. Earlier, on April 4, 2016, police had clashed with local villagers at the same power plant. Six people were killed in that incident on that day. The 1,320 MW coal-fired thermal power plant is being constructed in a joint venture by S Alam Group and China's Sefco Company. The project is being set up on 600 acres of land. Earlier, there were disputes over acquisition of land as well. Dissatisfied locals had alleged that S Alam group was acquiring land forcibly without any rehabilitation. There were also complaints of salt and shrimp farmers going out of business if the plant was built.

Bangladesh: Five killed in clash with police at under-construction power plant

India's External Affairs Minister&nbsp;S Jaishankar will fly to Bangladesh on a daylong visit on Thursday to finalise details of the trip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month, as the two countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations this year.

Bangladesh, which is also set to celebrate the 50th&nbsp;anniversary of Independence, looks forward to Modi's visit, the country's junior foreign minister has said.

Modi's visit, planned for&nbsp;March 26-27, will be his first trip abroad in more than a year.

The Indian prime minister and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, had held a &nbsp;virtual summit on December 17, during which he described the South Asian neighbour a "'pillar of India’s Neighbourhood First&nbsp;policy."

On Thursday, Jaishankar will hold talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen on water sharing, trade, borders, connectivity and other bilateral issues. Multiple sources said the two sides would discuss the necessary steps to further strengthen bilateral ties through Modi's visit.

Jaishankar will also call on Prime Minister Hasina.

The Indian minister is expected to arrive in Dhaka by a special aircraft at 10am on Thursday and will leave the same day.

He will attend a joint media briefing after talks with Momen at the state guesthouse Padma.

"There are always some expectations centering all the visits, or least to take forward the issues through discussions,"' Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam told reporters on Tuesday, adding that they keep deliverables for the big visit.

Asked about the agenda of the meeting, Alam&nbsp;said they will discuss connectivity, trade and regional cooperation.

Noting that the&nbsp;Covid-19 pandemic has not only ‘’created health emergencies&nbsp;but also economic emergency,''&nbsp;Alam said Jaishankar and Momen will discuss ways to remove barriers to export and import activities.

The two prime ministers had decided to conduct a joint feasibility study for a comprehensive economic partnership&nbsp;agreement. Dhaka will urge it to be started soon, said the minister.

‘‘We are not at all worried about what another country might think when we get closer to one country,’’ he said when asked if&nbsp;China would be happy with the economic partnership.

&nbsp;"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's diplomacy has long since allayed this fear. I don't think anyone should have any doubts. Neither India nor China,’’ he added.

"We want to discuss the Teesta [water sharing], the other six rivers, the Rahimpur canal and other unresolved issues," a Bangladeshi foreign ministry official told WION on condition of anonymity. He said the issue of Teesta would naturally come up for discussion. Bangladesh hopes that the agreement will be signed soon as promised in 2011.

Bangladesh wants to establish itself as a 'connectivity hub' in the region and India can take advantage of it, another Bangladeshi official told&nbsp;WION. He said Bangladesh wants to be connected to the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway. The two sides would also discuss Dhaka's proposal in this regard. Bangladesh has also proposed five new routes for connectivity&nbsp;with Nepal and Bhutan through India, which are under consideration by New Delhi.

There is also a possibility of discussing Rohingya migrants, maritime economy and other issues, he added.

There are still many unresolved issues between Bangladesh and India. Dhaka wants to discuss this issue seriously during PM Modi's visit, the minister said.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will fly to Bangladesh on a daylong visit on Thursday to finalise details of the trip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month, as the two countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations this year.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will fly to Bangladesh on a daylong visit on Thursday to finalise details of the trip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month, as the two countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations this year. Bangladesh, which is also set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Independence, looks forward to Modi's visit, the country's junior foreign minister has said. Modi's visit, planned for March 26-27, will be his first trip abroad in more than a year. The Indian prime minister and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, had held a virtual summit on December 17, during which he described the South Asian neighbour a "'pillar of India’s Neighbourhood First policy." On Thursday, Jaishankar will hold talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen on water sharing, trade, borders, connectivity and other bilateral issues. Multiple sources said the two sides would discuss the necessary steps to further strengthen bilateral ties through Modi's visit. Jaishankar will also call on Prime Minister Hasina. The Indian minister is expected to arrive in Dhaka by a special aircraft at 10am on Thursday and will leave the same day. He will attend a joint media briefing after talks with Momen at the state guesthouse Padma. "There are always some expectations centering all the visits, or least to take forward the issues through discussions,"' Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam told reporters on Tuesday, adding that they keep deliverables for the big visit. Asked about the agenda of the meeting, Alam said they will discuss connectivity, trade and regional cooperation. Noting that the Covid-19 pandemic has not only ‘’created health emergencies but also economic emergency,'' Alam said Jaishankar and Momen will discuss ways to remove barriers to export and import activities. The two prime ministers had decided to conduct a joint feasibility study for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement. Dhaka will urge it to be started soon, said the minister. ‘‘We are not at all worried about what another country might think when we get closer to one country,’’ he said when asked if China would be happy with the economic partnership. "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's diplomacy has long since allayed this fear. I don't think anyone should have any doubts. Neither India nor China,’’ he added. "We want to discuss the Teesta [water sharing], the other six rivers, the Rahimpur canal and other unresolved issues," a Bangladeshi foreign ministry official told WION on condition of anonymity. He said the issue of Teesta would naturally come up for discussion. Bangladesh hopes that the agreement will be signed soon as promised in 2011. Bangladesh wants to establish itself as a 'connectivity hub' in the region and India can take advantage of it, another Bangladeshi official told WION. He said Bangladesh wants to be connected to the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway. The two sides would also discuss Dhaka's proposal in this regard. Bangladesh has also proposed five new routes for connectivity with Nepal and Bhutan through India, which are under consideration by New Delhi. There is also a possibility of discussing Rohingya migrants, maritime economy and other issues, he added. There are still many unresolved issues between Bangladesh and India. Dhaka wants to discuss this issue seriously during PM Modi's visit, the minister said.

Indian foreign minister to visit Bangladesh to set stage for PM Narendra Modi’s trip

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is coming to Dhaka on March 4. During his two-day visit, the issues of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh will be finalized. &nbsp;

Discussions are also underway with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen to fix a date for Jaishankar's bilateral meeting. &nbsp;

An official of the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to the WION this.&nbsp;

It is learned that PM Narendra Modi will take part in a function on March 26 to mark the birth centenary of Bangladesh's Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of great independence. &nbsp;

He is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina the next day. During Narendra Modi's visit, the two foreign ministers will discuss the agenda and possible agreements.&nbsp;

This is Jaishankar's second visit to Dhaka as foreign minister. 
 
There has been increased engagement between the two&nbsp;countries in the last few years. December saw the India-Bangladesh virtual summit at the level of Prime Ministers. &nbsp;

During the summit, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the Indian Armed forces and thanked India for the liberation of the country from Pakistan in 1971.&nbsp; 
 
In January, Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen was in India for the foreign office consultations. He had called ties with India "deep and historic".&nbsp;

Amid the covid pandemic, India sent two&nbsp;million doses of the Covishield vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII) to Bangladesh. Later commercial consignments were also sent. The key focus has also been on reviving the pre-1965 connectivity links. The December virtual summit saw the opening of the Haldibari-Chilahati rail link connecting Bangladesh with the Indian state of West Bengal.&nbsp;

Currently, 5 out of 6 'pre-1965' rail links have been revived, which are Haldibari-Chilahati rail link, Petrapole (India) - Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India) – Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India)-Rohanpur (Bangladesh) and Radhikapur (India)–Birol (Bangladesh).

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is coming to Dhaka on March 4. During his two-day visit, the issues of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh will be finalized.

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is coming to Dhaka on March 4. During his two-day visit, the issues of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh will be finalized. Discussions are also underway with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen to fix a date for Jaishankar's bilateral meeting. An official of the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to the WION this. It is learned that PM Narendra Modi will take part in a function on March 26 to mark the birth centenary of Bangladesh's Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of great independence. He is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina the next day. During Narendra Modi's visit, the two foreign ministers will discuss the agenda and possible agreements. This is Jaishankar's second visit to Dhaka as foreign minister. There has been increased engagement between the two countries in the last few years. December saw the India-Bangladesh virtual summit at the level of Prime Ministers. During the summit, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the Indian Armed forces and thanked India for the liberation of the country from Pakistan in 1971. In January, Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen was in India for the foreign office consultations. He had called ties with India "deep and historic". Amid the covid pandemic, India sent two million doses of the Covishield vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII) to Bangladesh. Later commercial consignments were also sent. The key focus has also been on reviving the pre-1965 connectivity links. The December virtual summit saw the opening of the Haldibari-Chilahati rail link connecting Bangladesh with the Indian state of West Bengal. Currently, 5 out of 6 'pre-1965' rail links have been revived, which are Haldibari-Chilahati rail link, Petrapole (India) - Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India) – Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India)-Rohanpur (Bangladesh) and Radhikapur (India)–Birol (Bangladesh).

Ahead Of PM Modi's visit, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to visit Bangladesh on March 4 

A secretary-level tripartite meeting between Bangladesh, China and Myanmar will be held on Tuesday (January 19th) at noon.

A Chinese Vice Minister and Permanent Secretary of Myanmar will discuss Rohingya repatriation with Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Masood bin Momen. However, in preparation for the meeting, the Foreign Secretary met with Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Monday (January 17th). According to sources of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the tripartite meeting may discuss other issues including creating a conducive environment in Rakhine, village and family-based repatriation, repatriation from the village from which they came, and providing security.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bangladesh-coxs-bazar-fire-blaze-razes-at-least-500-houses-in-rohingya-camp-356956/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Bangladesh will be urged to start repatriation before the onset of monsoon.

''Our preparations have been completed," a foreign ministry official said. Everyone involved in Rohingya repatriation will be present at the meeting at the Foreign Ministry, he added.

Asked what the foreign secretary had discussed with the Chinese ambassador, the official said, Preparations for tomorrow's meeting have been discussed. After August 2016, about eight lakh Rohingyas fled from Rakhine to save their lives in Bangladesh. After discussions at various levels, a meeting was held in New York in 2016 at the level of Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, China and Myanmar.&nbsp;

The last tripartite meeting on Rohingya repatriation was held in January last year. Since then there have been no meetings of the three nations’ representatives because of the COVID-19 pandemic and national elections in Myanmar. However, this is the first tripartite meeting at the foreign secretary-level.

A secretary-level tripartite meeting between Bangladesh, China and Myanmar will be held on Tuesday (January 19th) at noon. A Chinese Vice Minister and Permanent Secretary of Myanmar will discuss Rohingya repatriation with Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Masood bin Momen.

A secretary-level tripartite meeting between Bangladesh, China and Myanmar will be held on Tuesday (January 19th) at noon. A Chinese Vice Minister and Permanent Secretary of Myanmar will discuss Rohingya repatriation with Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Masood bin Momen. However, in preparation for the meeting, the Foreign Secretary met with Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Monday (January 17th). According to sources of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the tripartite meeting may discuss other issues including creating a conducive environment in Rakhine, village and family-based repatriation, repatriation from the village from which they came, and providing security. Watch | Bangladesh will be urged to start repatriation before the onset of monsoon. ''Our preparations have been completed," a foreign ministry official said. Everyone involved in Rohingya repatriation will be present at the meeting at the Foreign Ministry, he added. Asked what the foreign secretary had discussed with the Chinese ambassador, the official said, Preparations for tomorrow's meeting have been discussed. After August 2016, about eight lakh Rohingyas fled from Rakhine to save their lives in Bangladesh. After discussions at various levels, a meeting was held in New York in 2016 at the level of Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, China and Myanmar. The last tripartite meeting on Rohingya repatriation was held in January last year. Since then there have been no meetings of the three nations’ representatives because of the COVID-19 pandemic and national elections in Myanmar. However, this is the first tripartite meeting at the foreign secretary-level.

Bangladesh, China, Myanmar to hold tripartite meeting on Rohingyas on Jan 19

The Bhasan Char island, located in an estuary of the Meghna river and the Bay of Bengal, is all set to receive around one lakh Rohingya. They have been stationed&nbsp;at the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

The facilities on the island, developed by the Bangladesh Navy, are far better than those of the congested camps in Cox’s Bazar. Still, it remains for the Bangladesh government to convince the Rohingya&nbsp;and the United Nations about the relocation for various reasons.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-bangladesh-is-re-locating-100000-rohingya-refugees-336764/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Until two years ago, Bhasan Char was covered in a shroud of grass and mangrove trees. But now the desolate islet has taken a new look altogether with buildings painted pink. The island, which emerged in the Bay of Bengal in 2002, has been developed as an eco-friendly human habitat to relocate nearly 1 lakh Rohingya&nbsp;to relieve the overcrowded mainland camps in Cox's Bazar where around a million took shelter after fleeing a military crackdown in Myanmar in 2017.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/issue-passports-to-rohingya-or-face-consequences-says-saudi-arabia-to-bangladesh-335750" hreflang="en">Issue passports to Rohingya or face 'consequences', says Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh</a>

On a visit to Bhasan Char, it was observed that the project had been implemented around the concept of cluster villages to house 101,360 Rohingya.

The Bangladesh Navy was given the responsibility to implement the project. Two British companies worked as consultants for onshore and offshore activities. The project was executed at a cost of about taka 3,100 crore.

All the buildings have been constructed four feet above the ground. Every cluster has 12 houses with 16 rooms and a four-storey steel-structure shelter station. There are 1,440 rooms and 120 shelter stations in 120 cluster villages. Every room can accommodate four people. In case of any calamity, 860 people can stay at the shelter stations which can withstand cyclones with speeds of about 260 kilometres an hour.

About the island’s vulnerability to cyclones, the project director says the embankment had been constructed after studying history and data of the last 176 years. Twelve kilometres of embankment at a height of nine feet had already been completed and work was under way to increase the height to nineteen feet.

According to Commodore Abdullah-al Mamun Chowdhury, director of the project, two 20-bed hospitals and four community clinics have been constructed. There is a police station and police post on the island. There are two playgrounds for the Rohingya children and there is some space available for playing in every cluster house.

There are also places for prayers, burials and markets. Accommodation has been made available for officials of the government, UN and NGOs. There are also two helipads. Trees are in abundance on the island.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/south-asia/4-killed-20-injured-in-violence-at-bangladeshs-coxs-bazar-rohingya-camp-333068" hreflang="en">4 killed, 20 injured in violence at Bangladesh's Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp</a>

The scope for earning an income is limited in the existing Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar. In contrast, there will be various avenues for means of livelihood on Bhasan Char.&nbsp; According to the Bangladesh Navy, the possible ways of earning can be fishing, poultry farming, sheep and cattle rearing, cultivation of rice and vegetables, carpentry, handicrafts, tailoring and providing different community services. The Bangladesh Navy has already planted paddy, vegetables and trees there.

Despite these developments, due to the objection of the Rohingya, the relocation process has got stuck and the government is concerned that this costly infrastructure might fall into disuse and consequent ruin if the relocation does not take place in a year and a half.

The UN has emphasised the importance of undertaking an independent and thorough technical and protection assessment of the site taking into account considerations of safety, sustainability, and protection issues prior to any relocation taking place. The assessment process should include onsite visits to Bhasan Char.

An initial mission was scheduled in November but the UN and the government agreed to postpone the visit to ensure that the right experts are on hand and all necessary logistical arrangements in place before the team's visit.

Now the government is planning to fix another schedule for field visits. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may also visit the island soon.

The Bhasan Char island, located in an estuary of the Meghna river and the Bay of Bengal, is all set to receive around one lakh Rohingya. They have been stationed at the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

The Bhasan Char island, located in an estuary of the Meghna river and the Bay of Bengal, is all set to receive around one lakh Rohingya. They have been stationed at the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The facilities on the island, developed by the Bangladesh Navy, are far better than those of the congested camps in Cox’s Bazar. Still, it remains for the Bangladesh government to convince the Rohingya and the United Nations about the relocation for various reasons. Until two years ago, Bhasan Char was covered in a shroud of grass and mangrove trees. But now the desolate islet has taken a new look altogether with buildings painted pink. The island, which emerged in the Bay of Bengal in 2002, has been developed as an eco-friendly human habitat to relocate nearly 1 lakh Rohingya to relieve the overcrowded mainland camps in Cox's Bazar where around a million took shelter after fleeing a military crackdown in Myanmar in 2017. Also read: Issue passports to Rohingya or face 'consequences', says Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh On a visit to Bhasan Char, it was observed that the project had been implemented around the concept of cluster villages to house 101,360 Rohingya. The Bangladesh Navy was given the responsibility to implement the project. Two British companies worked as consultants for onshore and offshore activities. The project was executed at a cost of about taka 3,100 crore. All the buildings have been constructed four feet above the ground. Every cluster has 12 houses with 16 rooms and a four-storey steel-structure shelter station. There are 1,440 rooms and 120 shelter stations in 120 cluster villages. Every room can accommodate four people. In case of any calamity, 860 people can stay at the shelter stations which can withstand cyclones with speeds of about 260 kilometres an hour. About the island’s vulnerability to cyclones, the project director says the embankment had been constructed after studying history and data of the last 176 years. Twelve kilometres of embankment at a height of nine feet had already been completed and work was under way to increase the height to nineteen feet. According to Commodore Abdullah-al Mamun Chowdhury, director of the project, two 20-bed hospitals and four community clinics have been constructed. There is a police station and police post on the island. There are two playgrounds for the Rohingya children and there is some space available for playing in every cluster house. There are also places for prayers, burials and markets. Accommodation has been made available for officials of the government, UN and NGOs. There are also two helipads. Trees are in abundance on the island. Also read: 4 killed, 20 injured in violence at Bangladesh's Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp The scope for earning an income is limited in the existing Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar. In contrast, there will be various avenues for means of livelihood on Bhasan Char. According to the Bangladesh Navy, the possible ways of earning can be fishing, poultry farming, sheep and cattle rearing, cultivation of rice and vegetables, carpentry, handicrafts, tailoring and providing different community services. The Bangladesh Navy has already planted paddy, vegetables and trees there. Despite these developments, due to the objection of the Rohingya, the relocation process has got stuck and the government is concerned that this costly infrastructure might fall into disuse and consequent ruin if the relocation does not take place in a year and a half. The UN has emphasised the importance of undertaking an independent and thorough technical and protection assessment of the site taking into account considerations of safety, sustainability, and protection issues prior to any relocation taking place. The assessment process should include onsite visits to Bhasan Char. An initial mission was scheduled in November but the UN and the government agreed to postpone the visit to ensure that the right experts are on hand and all necessary logistical arrangements in place before the team's visit. Now the government is planning to fix another schedule for field visits. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may also visit the island soon.

Ground report | Bhasan Char island - soon to be home of the Rohingya currently at Cox's Bazar

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