UN refugee chief visits Bangladesh

Dhaka Sep 23 (IANS) The UN High Commissioner for Refugees visited Bangladesh on Saturday to measure the extent of the Rohingya refugee crisis.

Almost 430 000 Rohingyas have fled Myanmar and crossed to Bangladesh since August 25. During his visit to the Cox s Bazar district where a majority of the Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar are staying the UNHCR commissioner Filippo Grandi s aim was to get a first-hand grasp of the scale of the refugee crisis the UN said in a statement.

The UN added that Grandi was set to "meet with refugees and see UNHCR s continued ramping up of its response to support Bangladesh" Efe news reported.

Grandi posted on Twitter several photographs of a refugee camp where he was seen with children and mothers inside a school in a precarious state or watching small children bathing in the murky waters of a river.

"Rohingya refugee children swim in a makeshift camp in Bangladesh: I asked their mothers what they need most. Everything: they replied " Grandi said.

On Friday the UN estimated that the refugee crisis in Bangladesh may require a call for funds to the tune of $200 million to serve 1.2 million people including nearly 430 000 Rohingyas who arrived in recent weeks.

The exodus of Rohingyas began on August 25 after the Myanmar Army launched an offensive in the region following an attack by Rohingya rebels on multiple government posts.

Non-profits have denounced human rights violations and the international community has increased pressure on the Myanmar government over the military operation.

--IANS
soni/bg