UNHCR envoy for urgent steps to protect Rohingyas from adverse climate impacts

March 22, 2018 00:00:00

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett warned on Wednesday of a 'race against time' to protect Rohingyas from the worst impacts of the upcoming monsoon season in Bangladesh, raports UNB.

Blanchett, on completion of her Bangladesh visit, called for urgent action to support UNHCR - the UN Refugee Agency - and its partners, working with the government of Bangladesh, to avoid an 'emergency within an emergency."

Heavy rains, potential cyclones and adverse weather conditions are threatening to put more than one hundred thousand Rohingya refugees living in congested settlements in Cox's Bazar district, south-eastern Bangladesh, at serious risk in the coming months.

Since August 2017, over 7.0 million Rohingyas from Myanmar have sought safety in Bangladesh.

"The Rohingya refugees have already experienced targeted violence, human rights abuses and horrific journeys. They have shown unimaginable resilience and courage," Blanchett said while speaking at the end of her visit to Kutupalong, Nyapara and Chakmarkul settlements near Cox's Bazar this week.

Blanchett, who was named one of TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people, said, "But now, as the monsoon season approaches, the Government of Bangladesh, supported by UNHCR and its partners, are in race against time to ensure the refugees are as safe as they can be to deal with potential floods and landslides."

Blanchett said she has seen first-hand how UNHCR - with its partners and with the refugees themselves - are working flat out to avoid an emergency within an emergency in Cox's Bazar district, according to UNHCR.

"Staff are on the ground distributing shelter and pre-monsoon kits to the vulnerable families, reinforcing roads, bridges, steps and other infrastructure that risk being washed away, and relocating families to safer places where land is available. But more is urgently needed to ensure refugees stay safe," Blanchett continued.

Calling for the international community to show solidarity and share the responsibility of this crisis with government and people of Bangladesh, Blanchett said the people of Bangladesh and host communities have been the first to respond to this crisis, supported by agencies like UNHCR and its partners.