Bangladesh govt, Oxfam sign MoU to assess Rohingya crisis impacts

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, the Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC), and Oxfam Bangladesh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conduct research on the socioeconomic impacts of the Rohingya crisis and develop sustainable solutions.

The development took place at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday (December 10).

Faruk-E-Azam, adviser to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, said, “This MoU is a testament to Bangladesh’s commitment to addressing the impacts of Rohingya crisis through informed strategies and partnerships, aiming for sustainable and collaborative solutions.”

Highlighting the importance of this research, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Refugee Relief and Repatriation commissioner, said, “Bangladesh has shown remarkable humanity in hosting over a million Rohingyas since 2017. This research will highlight the costs and challenges faced by host communities, supporting the call for shared responsibility and global action.”

Ashish Damle, country director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, said, “This crisis is not only humanitarian but also environmental and economic. This collaboration aims to provide a deeper understanding of its impacts, enabling sustainable solutions for both Rohingyas and host communities.”

Notable officials, including Md Kamrul Hasan, secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; Mohammad Nazmul Abedin, joint secretary and head of the Refugee Cell, MoDMR; and Mahmuda Sultana, program director of Oxfam in Bangladesh were also present at the signing ceremony.

Since 2017, Bangladesh has hosted over 1.1 million Rohingyas fleeing violence in Myanmar, putting significant strain on the country’s socioeconomic structure, environment, and infrastructure, particularly in Cox’s Bazar.