No alternative to dignified repatriation of Rohingyas: Disaster Management Secretary

Photo: Al Jazeera

Arakan Now | 18 November 2025

Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Mostafizur Rahman has said that there is no alternative to ensuring the sustainable and dignified repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas, stressing that they must ultimately return to their homeland.

Speaking as the chief guest at a conference on the Rohingya crisis, he also underscored the need to continue humanitarian assistance for the Rohingyas.

The event was organized yesterday by the Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA), with support from the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and BRAC.

The secretary noted that more than 1.3 million Rohingyas are currently living in 33 camps across Ukhiya and Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar. He said that over the last eight years, local communities have been burdened by the presence of such a large displaced population, adding that the Rohingya crisis is not only a humanitarian issue but also a matter of justice and global accountability.

He urged the international community to take effective measures to ensure the dignified return of the Rohingyas.

At the day-long conference, Julhas Alam, Bureau Chief of the Associated Press (AP), presented the keynote paper on the Rohingya crisis.

Presided over by Farida Parvin Chowdhury, President of the CJA Bangladesh Chapter, the event was also attended by Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Head of the Rohingya Cell at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Kamruzzaman, and local leaders.