At a time when the Bangladesh government is gradually relocating Rohingyas to Bhasan Char island, they have started fleeing from the island. WION brings you a report.

Why are Rohingya refugees attempting an escape from Bhasan Char?

Bangladesh authorities have sent a fourth group of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to a newly developed island in the Bay of Bengal on Monday.&nbsp;

The roughly 2,000 Rohingya, who had been living in the sprawling refugee camps of Cox's Bazar, were sent to Bhasan Char, an island specifically developed to accommodate 100,000 of the one million Rohingya, who have fled from neighbouring Myanmar, M. Mozammel Haque, a commander of the Bangladesh navy, told reporters.&nbsp;

With Monday's group, more than 7,000 refugees have moved to the island since the process started in December.&nbsp;

The government has said the arrangement is good for the refugees and the island is designed to offer better living conditions. The government has insisted that refugees moving to the island have done so voluntarily.&nbsp;

More than one million Rohingya have fled waves of violent persecution in their native Myanmar and are currently living in overcrowded, squalid refugee camps in Cox's Bazar district.&nbsp;

Bangladesh has said that ultimately it is up to Myanmar to take the refugees back and has called on the international community to put pressure on Myanmar's government to ensure their safe return.&nbsp;

The latest relocation follows a February 1 coup in Myanmar that put the military firmly back in control. The refugees living in Bangladeshi camps say they are now even more fearful to go back to Myanmar.&nbsp;

The island surfaced only 20 years ago and was not previously inhabited. It was regularly submerged by monsoon rains but now has flood protection embankments, houses, hospitals and mosques built at a cost of more than $112 million by the Bangladesh navy.&nbsp;

The government said the new development schemes in the island have made the island safe for living.

Bangladesh authorities have sent a fourth group of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to a newly developed island in the Bay of Bengal on Monday. The roughly 2,000 Rohingya, who had been living in the sprawling refugee camps of Cox's Bazar, were sent to Bhasan Char, an island specifically developed to accommodate 100,000 of the one million Rohingya, who have fled from neighbouring Myanmar, M.

Bangladesh authorities have sent a fourth group of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to a newly developed island in the Bay of Bengal on Monday. The roughly 2,000 Rohingya, who had been living in the sprawling refugee camps of Cox's Bazar, were sent to Bhasan Char, an island specifically developed to accommodate 100,000 of the one million Rohingya, who have fled from neighbouring Myanmar, M. Mozammel Haque, a commander of the Bangladesh navy, told reporters. With Monday's group, more than 7,000 refugees have moved to the island since the process started in December. The government has said the arrangement is good for the refugees and the island is designed to offer better living conditions. The government has insisted that refugees moving to the island have done so voluntarily. More than one million Rohingya have fled waves of violent persecution in their native Myanmar and are currently living in overcrowded, squalid refugee camps in Cox's Bazar district. Bangladesh has said that ultimately it is up to Myanmar to take the refugees back and has called on the international community to put pressure on Myanmar's government to ensure their safe return. The latest relocation follows a February 1 coup in Myanmar that put the military firmly back in control. The refugees living in Bangladeshi camps say they are now even more fearful to go back to Myanmar. The island surfaced only 20 years ago and was not previously inhabited. It was regularly submerged by monsoon rains but now has flood protection embankments, houses, hospitals and mosques built at a cost of more than $112 million by the Bangladesh navy. The government said the new development schemes in the island have made the island safe for living.

Bangladesh sends fourth batch of Rohingya refugees to new island

Bangladesh is moving 3,000-4,000 more Rohingya Muslim refugees to a remote Bay of Bengal island over the next two days, two officials said on Sunday, despite concerns about the risk of storms and floods lashing the site.

Dhaka has relocated around 7,000 to Bhasan Char island since early December from border camps in neighbouring Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where more than a million refugees live in ramshackle huts perched on razed hillsides.

The Rohingya refugees will be moved to Bhasan Char by ships on Monday and Tuesday, Navy Commodore Rashed Sattar said from the island.

Bangladesh says the relocation is voluntary, but some of a first group to be moved spoke of being coerced.

The government has dismissed safety concerns over the island, citing the building of flood defences as well as housing for 100,000 people, hospitals and cyclone centres.

It also says overcrowding in refugee camps fuels crime.

Once they arrive on Bhasan Char, the Rohingya, a minority group who fled violence, are not allowed to leave the island, which is several hours' journey from the southern port of Chittagong.

Bangladesh has drawn criticism for a reluctance to consult with the United Nations refugee agency and other aid bodies over the transfers.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees says the agency has not been allowed to evaluate the safety and sustainability of life on the island.

"The process of moving the Rohingya will continue... they are going there happily for better life," Mohammad Shamsud Douza, the deputy Bangladesh government official in charge of refugees, said by phone from Cox's Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh.

"Our main priority is repatriating them to their homeland in a dignified and sustainable way," he said.

Bangladesh has called on Myanmar to move forward the stalled process of voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees, as international pressure mounts on the military leaders following a coup, which reduces the refugees' hopes of returning home.

"I don't see any future for us," said 42-year-old refugee, who chose to move the island. "The little hope we had of going back to our homeland was broken after the coup."

Bangladesh is moving 3,000-4,000 more Rohingya Muslim refugees to a remote Bay of Bengal island over the next two days, two officials said on Sunday, despite concerns about the risk of storms and floods lashing the site.

Bangladesh is moving 3,000-4,000 more Rohingya Muslim refugees to a remote Bay of Bengal island over the next two days, two officials said on Sunday, despite concerns about the risk of storms and floods lashing the site. Dhaka has relocated around 7,000 to Bhasan Char island since early December from border camps in neighbouring Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where more than a million refugees live in ramshackle huts perched on razed hillsides. The Rohingya refugees will be moved to Bhasan Char by ships on Monday and Tuesday, Navy Commodore Rashed Sattar said from the island. Bangladesh says the relocation is voluntary, but some of a first group to be moved spoke of being coerced. The government has dismissed safety concerns over the island, citing the building of flood defences as well as housing for 100,000 people, hospitals and cyclone centres. It also says overcrowding in refugee camps fuels crime. Once they arrive on Bhasan Char, the Rohingya, a minority group who fled violence, are not allowed to leave the island, which is several hours' journey from the southern port of Chittagong. Bangladesh has drawn criticism for a reluctance to consult with the United Nations refugee agency and other aid bodies over the transfers. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees says the agency has not been allowed to evaluate the safety and sustainability of life on the island. "The process of moving the Rohingya will continue... they are going there happily for better life," Mohammad Shamsud Douza, the deputy Bangladesh government official in charge of refugees, said by phone from Cox's Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh. "Our main priority is repatriating them to their homeland in a dignified and sustainable way," he said. Bangladesh has called on Myanmar to move forward the stalled process of voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees, as international pressure mounts on the military leaders following a coup, which reduces the refugees' hopes of returning home. "I don't see any future for us," said 42-year-old refugee, who chose to move the island. "The little hope we had of going back to our homeland was broken after the coup."

Despite outcry Bangladesh to move more Rohingya Muslims to remote island

Bangladesh is preparing to move 2000-3000 more Rohingya refugees to the Bhasan Char, a remote Bay of Bengal island that critics say is vulnerable to storms and flooding. Bangladesh has already relocated about 3500 Rohingya refugees on the island since early December.

Bhasan Char island emerged from the sea only two decades ago. One has to travel by boat from Chittagong for several hours in order to reach the island.&nbsp;

"Most probably, they will be taken to Chittagong tomorrow and the next day, they will be sent to Bhasan Char from there," Navy Commodore Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury told Reuters.

"Last time, we had preparations for 700 to 1,000 but finally more than 1,800 Rohingya moved there. People who moved earlier are calling their relatives and friends to go there. That's why more people are going there."

The move to send Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh has drawn criticism. Bangladesh justifies the move to the island saying overcrowding in the camps in Cox's Bazar is leading to crimes.

It also dismisses concerns of floods, citing the construction of a 2-metre (6.5 feet) embankment for 12 km (7.5 miles) to protect the island along with housing for 100,000 people, as well as facilities such as cyclone centres and hospitals.

Its actions, nevertheless, have attracted criticism from relief agencies that had not been consulted on the previous transfers. The UNHCR did not immediately respond to a query from Reuters on the latest planned movement.

U.S.-based advocacy group Refugees International has said the plan is "short-sighted and inhumane" while the Fortify Rights Group said the relocations may be "coerced and involuntary" and should cease immediately.

Bangladesh is preparing to move 2000-3000 more Rohingya refugees to the Bhasan Char, a remote Bay of Bengal island that critics say is vulnerable to storms and flooding.

Bangladesh is preparing to move 2000-3000 more Rohingya refugees to the Bhasan Char, a remote Bay of Bengal island that critics say is vulnerable to storms and flooding. Bangladesh has already relocated about 3500 Rohingya refugees on the island since early December. Bhasan Char island emerged from the sea only two decades ago. One has to travel by boat from Chittagong for several hours in order to reach the island. "Most probably, they will be taken to Chittagong tomorrow and the next day, they will be sent to Bhasan Char from there," Navy Commodore Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury told Reuters. "Last time, we had preparations for 700 to 1,000 but finally more than 1,800 Rohingya moved there. People who moved earlier are calling their relatives and friends to go there. That's why more people are going there." The move to send Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh has drawn criticism. Bangladesh justifies the move to the island saying overcrowding in the camps in Cox's Bazar is leading to crimes. It also dismisses concerns of floods, citing the construction of a 2-metre (6.5 feet) embankment for 12 km (7.5 miles) to protect the island along with housing for 100,000 people, as well as facilities such as cyclone centres and hospitals. Its actions, nevertheless, have attracted criticism from relief agencies that had not been consulted on the previous transfers. The UNHCR did not immediately respond to a query from Reuters on the latest planned movement. U.S.-based advocacy group Refugees International has said the plan is "short-sighted and inhumane" while the Fortify Rights Group said the relocations may be "coerced and involuntary" and should cease immediately.

Bangladesh to send more Rohingya refugees to remote island despite criticism

Last week Bangladesh started relocating Rohingya Refugees to Bhasan Char Island, despite of the objection raised by several international organisations. Now the country is facing big challenge to meet the basic needs of these refugees. WION brings you a report.

Bangladesh: Rohingya refugees happy with the facilities on Bhasan Char Island

The move has got international attention as the Bhasan Char island is considered vulnerable to tides and monsoonal river flows.

WION Dispatch: Bangladesh is sending Rohingya to their new home Bhasan Char island

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

The first batch of Rohingyas from the cramped camps of Cox’s Bazar is set to visit Bhashan Char. The place is 123km away from Bangladesh. The team of 40 Rohingyas includes local leaders and family members of the 306 Rohingya refugees already sheltered at Bhasan Char.

First Rohingya team of 40 Muslims to visit Bhasan Char

In a crystal clear picture, Bangladesh was in no hurry to relocate the 1,00,000 Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char, the floating island in the Bay of Bengal.

Bangladesh wishes to shelter just a 'fraction' of nearly 1 million <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-president-xi-jinping-to-visit-myanmar-today-with-bri-on-agenda-274811">Rohingya</a> Muslims in Bhasan Char which has now, its flood protection embankments, hospitals, mosques along with residential space. However, dates for the relocation of the refugees who fled from violent persecution are yet to be announced.

The refugee, relief and repatriation commissioner of Bangladesh, Mahbub Alam Talukder said, “Bhasan Char is ready for habitation. Everything has been put in place.”

This move came after the world body, the United Nations called for a thorough assessment to ensure the viability of the move, saying it was discussing "critical protection and operational issues" ahead of any relocation.

As of now, Bangladesh has prohibited foreign media entities from visiting the island.

A local freelance journalist Saleh Noman who recently visited Bhasan Char described that a community is shaping -up there.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
ইউএনএইচসিআরের সহায়তায় পাল্টে গেছে গ্রামীণ চিত্র 
 
রোহিঙ্গাদের পাশাপাশি স্থানীয়দের জন্য শিক্ষা ,যোগাযোগ, বাসস্থানসহ বিভিন্ন্ ধরনের সাহাজ্য সহযোগিতা করে আসছে আর্ন্তজাতিক সংস্থা ইউএনএইচসিআর সহ বিভিন্ন আইএনজিও গুলো।<a href="https://t.co/sgwhAwfX47">https://t.co/sgwhAwfX47</a>ইউএনএইচসিআরের-সহায়তায়/ <a href="https://t.co/Xc1O4EWKCs">pic.twitter.com/Xc1O4EWKCs</a>
— UNHCR in Bangladesh (@UNHCR_BGD) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHCR_BGD/status/1214061558176899073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

“I saw a market with about 10 grocery shops and roadside tea stalls. Some were selling fish and vegetables,” he said. “All is set there with a solar power system and water supply lines.”

The island is 21 miles ahead of the mainland of Bangladesh and had never been inhabited. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-has-softened-stance-following-icj-hearing-bangladesh-foreign-minister-268492">Bangladesh</a> is itself a low-lying delta nation prone to the tidal phenomenon.&nbsp;

The naval forces of Bangladesh have been trying their best to implement a multimillion-dollar plan to bolster the two-decades-old swampy island, which gets regularly submerged during the annual monsoon season.&nbsp;

International-aid authorities including the United Nations have expressed their vehement opposition since the plan to relocate was introduced back in 2015.

According to the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Bangladesh, Mostofa Mohammad Sazzad Hossain, the world body isn't ready to endorse the relocation and is waiting for a chance to visit the island after a November trip was canceled.

"The UN has emphasized the importance of undertaking independent and thorough technical and protection assessments that consider safety, sustainability, and protection issues prior to any relocation taking into place. The assessment process should include onsite visits to Bhasan Char,” Hossain said.&nbsp;

Most of the refugee camps that have been set up now in the beach town of Cox Bazar are overcrowded and unhygienic with diseases and organized crimes at rampant levels. Education is said to be very limited and there is no employment opportunity is available for the refugees.

Still, many Rohingyans are unwilling to return to their native lands in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-ready-to-go-back-rohingya-refugees-meet-with-myanmar-delegates-269053">Myanmar</a> due to safety concerns. Government officials still do not have an estimate of how many refugees would be willing to be relocated to the island.

On the condition of anonymity, two Bangladeshi contractors spoke to media representatives and gave an update on the development of the island.&nbsp;

“We have built quality infrastructure. Bangladeshi villages have never seen such good work. This is like a modern township project,” one contractor said.

“We have built multi-family concrete homes, hospitals, mosques, schools, playgrounds, and roads. There are solar-power facilities, a water supply system. We constructed raised concrete buildings that could be used as cyclone shelters. Many trees have been planted,” he said.

Bangladesh is in constant talks with UN humanitarian bodies, and working on their observations, said Enamur Rahman, the junior minister for disaster management and relief. "So we are going a little slow. There's no exact date to relocate," he added.

Amid of UN concerns over the relocation issues, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has repeatedly told the UN and other international partners that her administration will consult them before making a final decision on the relocation and that no refugees will be forced to move.

Within an 'unsuccessful' bilateral framework, Bangladesh tried its best to send the Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar but no one was actually willing to go as Rohingya are not considered as citizens of Myanmar&nbsp;

The Rohingya are not recognized as citizens in Myanmar, rendering them stateless, and face other forms of state-sanctioned discrimination.

A UN-sponsored investigation in 2018 recommended the prosecution of Myanmar’s top military commanders on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for the violence perpetrated against the Rohingya.

Myanmar is defending itself in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/icj-ruling-on-urgent-measures-in-rohingya-case-on-january-23-gambia-274450">International Court of Justice</a> in the Hague, Netherlands, after the West African nation of Gambia brought a case backed by the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, Canada and the Netherlands.

The Gambia in its submission said there was a “serious and imminent risk of genocide recurring” and called for emergency measures to prevent Myanmar from committing any further atrocities or erasing any evidence. The court is expected to deliver a decision on January&nbsp;23 on what measures should be imposed.

Kamal Hossain, Bangladesh's top government official in Cox’s Bazar, said Thursday that discussions attempting to convince refugee families to move to the island are continuing. “We are ready. This is a continuous process,” he said.

"We are not in a hurry and it will start only when all these UN bodies and Rohingya people feel the area is ready."

Rahman said the government was working to build more cyclone shelters on the island, which is hours from the mainland by boat. Many Rohingya have opposed the transfer plan.

A World Food Programme document shows the UN's food agency supplied <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/as-wider-trade-dispute-looms-malaysia-talks-to-india-over-palm-curbs-274679">Bangladesh</a> with detailed plans, including a timeline and a budget, on providing for thousands of Rohingya taken to the island within weeks.

Densely-populated Bangladesh says it has been grappling with the large refugee numbers.

The number of refugees in Cox's Bazar has swelled since August 2017, when a Myanmar military-led crackdown that UN investigators have said was conducted with "genocidal intent" prompted some 730,000 Rohingya to flee.

Buddhist-majority <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinas-president-xi-jinping-arrives-in-myanmar-seeking-to-push-belt-and-road-project-274887">Myanmar</a> has denied almost all accusations of atrocities made by refugees, saying its security forces engaged in a legitimate counterterrorism operation.

In a crystal clear picture, Bangladesh was in no hurry to relocate the 1,00,000 Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char, the floating island in the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh wishes to shelter just a 'fraction' of nearly 1 million Rohingya Muslims in Bhasan Char which has now, its flood protection embankments, hospitals, mosques along with residential space.

In a crystal clear picture, Bangladesh was in no hurry to relocate the 1,00,000 Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char, the floating island in the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh wishes to shelter just a 'fraction' of nearly 1 million Rohingya Muslims in Bhasan Char which has now, its flood protection embankments, hospitals, mosques along with residential space. However, dates for the relocation of the refugees who fled from violent persecution are yet to be announced. The refugee, relief and repatriation commissioner of Bangladesh, Mahbub Alam Talukder said, “Bhasan Char is ready for habitation. Everything has been put in place.” This move came after the world body, the United Nations called for a thorough assessment to ensure the viability of the move, saying it was discussing "critical protection and operational issues" ahead of any relocation. As of now, Bangladesh has prohibited foreign media entities from visiting the island. A local freelance journalist Saleh Noman who recently visited Bhasan Char described that a community is shaping -up there. ইউএনএইচসিআরের সহায়তায় পাল্টে গেছে গ্রামীণ চিত্র রোহিঙ্গাদের পাশাপাশি স্থানীয়দের জন্য শিক্ষা ,যোগাযোগ, বাসস্থানসহ বিভিন্ন্ ধরনের সাহাজ্য সহযোগিতা করে আসছে আর্ন্তজাতিক সংস্থা ইউএনএইচসিআর সহ বিভিন্ন আইএনজিও গুলো।https://t.co/sgwhAwfX47ইউএনএইচসিআরের-সহায়তায়/ pic.twitter.com/Xc1O4EWKCs — UNHCR in Bangladesh (@UNHCR_BGD) January 6, 2020 × “I saw a market with about 10 grocery shops and roadside tea stalls. Some were selling fish and vegetables,” he said. “All is set there with a solar power system and water supply lines.” The island is 21 miles ahead of the mainland of Bangladesh and had never been inhabited. Bangladesh is itself a low-lying delta nation prone to the tidal phenomenon. The naval forces of Bangladesh have been trying their best to implement a multimillion-dollar plan to bolster the two-decades-old swampy island, which gets regularly submerged during the annual monsoon season. International-aid authorities including the United Nations have expressed their vehement opposition since the plan to relocate was introduced back in 2015. According to the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Bangladesh, Mostofa Mohammad Sazzad Hossain, the world body isn't ready to endorse the relocation and is waiting for a chance to visit the island after a November trip was canceled. "The UN has emphasized the importance of undertaking independent and thorough technical and protection assessments that consider safety, sustainability, and protection issues prior to any relocation taking into place. The assessment process should include onsite visits to Bhasan Char,” Hossain said. Most of the refugee camps that have been set up now in the beach town of Cox Bazar are overcrowded and unhygienic with diseases and organized crimes at rampant levels. Education is said to be very limited and there is no employment opportunity is available for the refugees. Still, many Rohingyans are unwilling to return to their native lands in Myanmar due to safety concerns. Government officials still do not have an estimate of how many refugees would be willing to be relocated to the island. On the condition of anonymity, two Bangladeshi contractors spoke to media representatives and gave an update on the development of the island. “We have built quality infrastructure. Bangladeshi villages have never seen such good work. This is like a modern township project,” one contractor said. “We have built multi-family concrete homes, hospitals, mosques, schools, playgrounds, and roads. There are solar-power facilities, a water supply system. We constructed raised concrete buildings that could be used as cyclone shelters. Many trees have been planted,” he said. Bangladesh is in constant talks with UN humanitarian bodies, and working on their observations, said Enamur Rahman, the junior minister for disaster management and relief. "So we are going a little slow. There's no exact date to relocate," he added. Amid of UN concerns over the relocation issues, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has repeatedly told the UN and other international partners that her administration will consult them before making a final decision on the relocation and that no refugees will be forced to move. Within an 'unsuccessful' bilateral framework, Bangladesh tried its best to send the Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar but no one was actually willing to go as Rohingya are not considered as citizens of Myanmar The Rohingya are not recognized as citizens in Myanmar, rendering them stateless, and face other forms of state-sanctioned discrimination. A UN-sponsored investigation in 2018 recommended the prosecution of Myanmar’s top military commanders on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for the violence perpetrated against the Rohingya. Myanmar is defending itself in the International Court of Justice in the Hague, Netherlands, after the West African nation of Gambia brought a case backed by the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, Canada and the Netherlands. The Gambia in its submission said there was a “serious and imminent risk of genocide recurring” and called for emergency measures to prevent Myanmar from committing any further atrocities or erasing any evidence. The court is expected to deliver a decision on January 23 on what measures should be imposed. Kamal Hossain, Bangladesh's top government official in Cox’s Bazar, said Thursday that discussions attempting to convince refugee families to move to the island are continuing. “We are ready. This is a continuous process,” he said. "We are not in a hurry and it will start only when all these UN bodies and Rohingya people feel the area is ready." Rahman said the government was working to build more cyclone shelters on the island, which is hours from the mainland by boat. Many Rohingya have opposed the transfer plan. A World Food Programme document shows the UN's food agency supplied Bangladesh with detailed plans, including a timeline and a budget, on providing for thousands of Rohingya taken to the island within weeks. Densely-populated Bangladesh says it has been grappling with the large refugee numbers. The number of refugees in Cox's Bazar has swelled since August 2017, when a Myanmar military-led crackdown that UN investigators have said was conducted with "genocidal intent" prompted some 730,000 Rohingya to flee. Buddhist-majority Myanmar has denied almost all accusations of atrocities made by refugees, saying its security forces engaged in a legitimate counterterrorism operation.

Bangladesh: Once submerged island ready to house 1,00,000 Rohingyas

bhasan-char

Bhasan Char, News on Bhasan Char, stories on Bhasan Char, articles on Bhasan Char, Bhasan Char stories at Wion, Bhasan Char news, Bhasan Char latest news

bhasan char