Govt to cut spending on Rohingya camp

The government is going to cut expenditure in various sectors in the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar and Bhasanchar in line with its austerity policies, this was told at the 39th meeting of the National Task Force at the foreign ministry on Sunday.
Representatives from UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, IOM, ISCG, UNRC, different ministries, agencies and RRC joined the meeting chaired by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen.
More focus will be given to produce renewable energy to cut use of diesel, the foreign secretary told the journalists after the meeting.
"For example we can increase the use of solar energy in the (Rohingya) camps, he said.
"All sides emphasised on urgency of prioritising repatriation efforts of the Rohingyas to Rakhine (of Myanmar) at every forum," Mr Momen said while narrating the decisions of the meeting.
The meeting decided that the UN will set up their activities in Bhasanchar and the WFP will continue to distribute foods in the island.
The meeting also focused on the family planning of the Rohingyas and it was decided that the UNFPA will strengthen its family planning efforts in the camps. A policy document on this sector will be adopted in consultation with relevant ministries.
The meeting also discussed about education of the Rohingya children and it was decided that they will receive learning facilities from KG to Grade-9 following Myanmar curriculum with the UN agencies boosting up their education related activities in both Cox's Bazar and Bhasanchar.
Decision was also taken to strengthen the activities of Rohingya and host community volunteers in the camp activities for proper management.
Both the UN and the government will gear up steps to provide skill development training to the Rohingyas, the meeting was told.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com