Prof Yunus Seeks Sasakawa’s Help on Rohingya Crisis

Arakan Now - 28 May 2025

Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Prof Muhammad Yunus, has asked Yohei Sasakawa, head of the Nippon Foundation, to support efforts to solve the Rohingya crisis and help return refugees to Myanmar.

The request came during a dinner hosted by Sasakawa in Tokyo on Wednesday. Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, shared the details.

Prof Yunus said about 35,000 babies are born each year in the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh, and they grow up without hope. He warned the situation could become dangerous. He also raised concerns about rising drug smuggling in the camps.

He told Sasakawa, “This is a good moment. We can work together.” He praised Sasakawa’s peace work in Myanmar and said, “You are respected by all sides.”

Azad said Sasakawa has visited Myanmar over 150 times and is trusted by both the government and more than 100 ethnic groups.

Prof Yunus also asked for support from the Nippon Foundation for ICDDR,B, which is facing funding cuts after USAID suspended aid.

Reported by Arakan Now. Source: Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh.