World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley has said the world's largest humanitarian organization is facing difficulties in feeding the displaced Rohingyas living in Bangladesh as the interest of donor agencies regarding the issue is gradually decreasing.
"The interest of the donor agencies in feeding the Rohingyas is decreasing ... however, we're trying to keep alive this interest among the donor agencies under the UN system. But it is very difficult for us to continue it," Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque quoted the WFP executive director as saying while briefing reporters after Beasley's meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina here on Monday.
The foreign secretary said that the WFP is playing a leading role in feeding the displaced one million Myanmar Rohingyas living in Bangladesh. He said that they have distributed foods worth $80 million in the last six months among the Rohingyas.
As per the WFP assessment, he said, the WFP needs $20-25 million per month to feed the Rohingyas.
Haque also mentioned that the WFP executive director expressed another concern regarding the Rohingyas that during the monsoon season there is a possibility of mudslide in the areas where the Rohingyas took shelter.
In this connection, the prime minister said that some Rohingays will be shifted temporarily to Bhasan Char if there is any necessity.
The WFP executive director apprised Sheikh Hasina of their various campaigns in the international arena on the Rohingya issue.
"I've already briefed the US President twice on the issue," Beasley said. He mentioned that the WFP thinks that the international community would take steps against the atrocities on the Rohingyas.
The prime minister pointed out again the five-point proposal which she placed in the last UN General Assembly.
Sheikh Hasina told the WFP executive director said that a bilateral agreement was signed with Myanmar for repatriation of the Rohingyas and she requested the international community to continue their pressure on Myanmar for the successful implementation of the deal.
Currently, Haque said, the WFP is implementing 13 projects in Bangladesh worth about $343 million for 2017-20 period.
The WFP executive director appreciated various achievements of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in agriculture and food security.
He assured that the WFP will continuously work with Bangladesh in the matter of food security, Haque said.
Later, honorary consuls of Bangladesh in Rome also called on the prime minister at her hotel suite.
Sheikh Hasina urged them to work sincerely to ensure interests of the expatriate Bangladeshis living in Italy.
Source: BSS