U.S. Special Envoy Sergio Gor Visits Rohingya Refugee Camps in Cox's Bazar

U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor visited Rohingya refugee camps in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar, on Friday to observe humanitarian operations and meet with displaced Rohingya refugees.

The visit took place from approximately 1:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. local time. During the tour, Gor visited several humanitarian facilities, spoke with Rohingya refugees, and inquired about their living conditions and current challenges.

He was accompanied by a U.S. Embassy delegation led by U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen.

Focus on U.S.-Funded Humanitarian Programs

Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and Additional Secretary Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said the United States is one of the largest donors supporting humanitarian assistance in the Rohingya camps.

According to him, the delegation visited U.S.-funded projects, toured various service centers, and climbed an observation tower to assess the overall situation in the refugee settlements.

Rohingya Seek U.S. Support for Repatriation

Rahman said Rohingya refugees urged the U.S. delegation to support efforts toward ensuring the safe, voluntary, sustainable, and dignified repatriation of refugees to Myanmar. They expressed their desire to return to their homes in Myanmar's Rakhine State as soon as possible.

Following the camp visit, the delegation held a brief meeting with RRRC officials at the commissioner's office in Cox's Bazar.

Questions on New Arrivals and Security

During the meeting, members of the delegation asked whether new Rohingya refugees are still entering Bangladesh, whether any have returned to Myanmar, about the current situation in Rakhine State, and about relations between Rohingya refugees and local communities.

Rahman said that, on average, seven to ten Rohingya continue to cross into Bangladesh each day, fleeing conflict, persecution, or seeking medical treatment.

He also noted that the prolonged suspension of repatriation efforts, coupled with the involvement of some refugees in criminal activities, has increased frustration among the local host community.

More Than 1.4 Million Rohingya in Bangladesh

Bangladesh currently hosts more than 1.4 million registered Rohingya refugees across 33 camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf.

Of them, nearly 800,000 fled to Bangladesh in the months following the military crackdown in Myanmar that began on August 25, 2017.

No Rohingya refugees have been successfully repatriated to Myanmar over the past nine years. Instead, approximately 152,000 additional Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh over the last 18 months, fleeing renewed violence in Rakhine State.

Health, Food and Registration Facilities Visited

According to officials, the U.S. delegation visited Camp 4, Camp 6, and Camp 8 (West), where they observed healthcare services, food distribution, refugee registration, and LPG distribution programs.

At a primary healthcare center in Camp 6, the delegation discussed maternal and child healthcare, vaccination programs, nutrition services, emergency treatment, medicine availability, and specialized healthcare with aid workers.

The delegation also visited a UNHCR-funded data registration center for newly arrived refugees, an IOM-supported LPG distribution program, and the World Food Programme (WFP) e-voucher-based food distribution system.

During the visit, hundreds of Rohingya refugees gathered in Camp 4 carrying placards to welcome the delegation while calling for safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation to Myanmar.