Swedish Princess Victoria visits Rohingya camp

The Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and also Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden has arrived in Cox's Bazar.

Upon her arrival in Cox's Bazar, Refugees, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mizanur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shaheen Imran, Superintendent of Police Mahafuzul Islam welcomed her.

A chopper carrying the princess reached the Rohingya camp in Ukhia around 12:45pm on Wednesday.

First, she went to the World Food Program UNHCR's registration and food distribution e-voucher outlet at Camp Four Extension.

After visiting the activities there, she spoke to the Rohingya women while visiting the Multi-Purpose Women's Center run by UN Women and UNFPA in Camp 4.

Then she visited the skill development training program conducted by UNHCR at Camp 5.

She will observe a bakery shop and the processing of jute products and interact with the women working there.

She will also visit the Disaster Risk Reduction Nature Based Solution Site Slope Stabilization for Landside Risk Mitigation managed by UNDP of Camp-10 and Rohingya Cultural Memory Center managed by IOM of Camp-18.

After visiting the Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden will visit the Khorushkul shelter project.

The princess touched down in Dhaka at 9:30 am on Monday (March 18), marking her first official visit to the South Asian nation since assuming her role with the UNDP.

Accompanying Princess Victoria on this crucial journey are Sweden's International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Minister Johan Forsel and the Assistant Secretary General of the UNDP, Ulrika Moder.

Their presence underscores the collaborative effort between Sweden and the UNDP in fostering global development initiatives, particularly in regions grappling with socio-economic challenges.

Princess Victoria's presence underscores the UNDP's commitment to addressing the plight of displaced populations and advocating for sustainable solutions to complex humanitarian crises.

As a beacon of compassion and advocacy, Princess Victoria's engagement in Bangladesh holds profound significance. Her visit not only amplifies international attention towards the plight of Rohingya refugees but also underscores the importance of collaboration between nations and global organisations in advancing the UNDP's development agenda.

Through her interactions with local communities, policymakers, and humanitarian workers, Princess Victoria aims to spotlight the challenges faced by vulnerable populations while advocating for inclusive development strategies that prioritise human dignity and well-being.

This four-day visit not only marks a milestone in Princess Victoria's role as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador but also reaffirms the enduring bonds of friendship and solidarity between Sweden and Bangladesh in the pursuit of global development and peace.