The United Kingdom (UK) sees China's engagement in resolving the Rohingya crisis as a positive development since the latter has good rapport with Myanmar.
British High Commissioner in Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson said this while addressing a press conference at his residence in the capital on Sunday.
Chinese involvement in resolving the crisis is a good thing, he said in response to a question.
China has the potential to produce positive results, he added.
Mr Dickson also expressed the hope that the crisis would not remain unresolved as the big countries -- which have close ties with Myanmar -- have agreed that repatriation of Rohingya to their homeland is crucial.
Moreover, both Bangladesh and Myanmar, in their latest round of talks agreed on two vital issues which is also a breakthrough, he added.
"Bangladesh sticks to the policy of safe and voluntary return of the Rohingya, and Myanmar recognises their right to return to their homeland," he said adding that these two factors have brightened the possibility of a solution.
Head of DFID Bangladesh, Judith Herbertson, told the briefing that shifting the Rohingya -- who are eager to return home -- to the countries far away from their home will not be the solution.
She said it when asked whether the United Kingdom (UK) and other rich countries would provide shelter to a portion of the Rohingya refugees to ease the burden of Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, at the press briefing, the UK announced to provide an additional £87 million for continuing the relief operation in Cox's Bazar, lifting its contribution from the start of the crisis in August 2017 to a total of £226 million.
"The UK and Bangladesh have a strong and enduring partnership, which continues to deepen as Bangladesh transitions to become a middle-income country," said the British High Commissioner.
"We greatly appreciate the remarkable generosity and humanity the government and the people of Bangladesh have shown in hosting the Rohingya people," he added.
"The overarching aim must remain finding a solution to this crisis, so that the Rohingya can voluntarily return to Myanmar in safety and dignity. The UK remains committed to ensuring that conditions are put in place to allow this to happen".
Judith Herbertson said, since August 2017, UK aid from British taxpayers has contributed £226 million to provide life-sustaining humanitarian assistance to almost one million Rohingya people.
"This additional £87 million will help deliver stability and security for the Rohingya and for vulnerable local communities in Cox's Bazar who have been affected by the crisis," she added.
"We appreciate the enormous generosity of the Government of Bangladesh and the people of Cox's Bazar. And we pay tribute to all those working tirelessly to support the Rohingya living in the camps."
The additional funding will help provide food, healthcare, water, sanitation, care and counselling for sexual violence survivors, and protection for vulnerable groups.
In a message on the occasion of the announcement, International Development Secretary Alok Sharma said, "It is hard to truly grasp the size of the humanitarian crisis faced by the Rohingya people. More than 0.7 million were forced to flee their home in the face of horrific brutality".
"The UK has worked with the Government of Bangladesh to provide lifesaving aid, including food, water and shelter, as well education and counselling as they rebuild their lives," said Mr Sharma.
He also mentioned, "Women and girls represent over half of the camp population in Bangladesh, and this new funding will provide vital support for them, such as critical reproductive health care, and a new emergency shelter for survivors of severe gender-based violence and trafficking." He noted that the support demonstrated the UK's continued commitment to the Rohingya people.
The new funding aimed at providing a fresh fund of over £20 million to the thousands of already vulnerable Bangladeshi families, who now have nearly one million refugees living in their district.
It also aims to provide protection to over 0.45 million refugees including Rohingya women and girls, who were victims of sexual violence, and to children who survived abduction and trafficking.
Through this new fund over 0.5 million medical consultations will be provided through 27 primary health care and mobile clinics, along with the early warning system for disease outbreaks.
And over 250,000 refugees and 50,000 people from the local community will receive clean water and sanitation, the announcement said.
It will also help meet the basic food needs of 0.1 million refugees for a whole year and distribution of containers for preserving food by 0.15 million families. The UK aid will also provide cooking gas to over 31,000 families, which would help stop further deforestation in the area.
[email protected]
