Three million euros have been allocated by Italy for the ongoing protection and humanitarian aid of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
Enrico Nunziata, the Italian ambassador to Bangladesh, recently made the news, and Johannes van der Klaauw, the UNHCR official there, hailed it.
Italy has consistently contributed to the Rohingya refugee crisis since it began in August 2017 through major international organizations and UN agencies.
Prior to that, on August 25, 2022, the Italian Embassy and 13 other foreign missions in Bangladesh issued a unified statement in support of the Rohingya people and the people of Bangladesh, five years after the Rohingya crisis began. The 2017 Rohingya exodus to Bangladesh from Myanmar was deeply concerning to the Italian government, who contributed 7 million euros to help the Rohingya.
According to media sources, Italy promised to give the Rohingya Muslims living in improvised camps in Bangladesh’s southern Cox’s Bazar area an additional €1 million ($1.1 million) in help in 2020.
With this support from the Italian government and people, UNHCR was able to keep providing crucial protection and assistance to the almost one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh who still depend on humanitarian aid for survival. This includes support for refugees’ education and skill development, especially for women and children, as well as access to health, water, and sanitation facilities as well as essential protection services.
This kind gift from Italy, which came from its budget for foreign policy, underscored the longer-term character of this commitment and was especially welcome now that we expect the international community’s financial support to decline significantly.
In accordance with the commitment of the Italian government to maintain access to vital and life-sustaining services for refugees living both in Cox’s Bazar camps and on Bhasan Char, the grant from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation was a contribution to the activities of the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh and UNHCR on the protection of Rohingya as set up in the Joint Response Plan.
Italy commended the People’s Republic of Bangladesh’s government for its efforts and charity in sheltering thousands of Rohingya refugees on its soil. “Italy in Europe has the potential to be a key player in resolving the Rohingya refugee problem. Italy can help Rohingya refugees in some ways because it is an active member of the European Union and the “United Nations Security Council.”
It’s time to apply pressure to the Rohingya problem right now. because following a military coup in February of this year, those forces are slaughtering the citizens of their nation. Italy has much to offer in this area.
Bangladesh pleaded with Italy to support Bangladesh in finding a solution to the long-standing Rohingya issue. Italy promised to support Bangladesh in finding a solution to the situation. During a private meeting with the visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Rome, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte made the announcement.
Italy, however, has the power to influence the way that the world views the Rohingya problem. In this aspect, Italy can interact with other nations, particularly China and Russia. Concerning the Rohingya situation, Beijing and Moscow must open the Pandora’s Box.
Italy should have a substantial voice on the platform because it is a participating member of the EU. All Platform members, including France, have the power to put pressure on Myanmar to accept the Rohingyas back. Italy may bring up the matter at EU seminars and meetings.
Italy and all EU countries should impose an embargo on the sale of military hardware. The strictest solution to this issue might be to put pressure on Myanmar. Italy can contribute significantly to the EU in this regard.
Any type of activity in Myanmar might be suspended by Italian companies. With ASEAN, Italy enjoys excellent bilateral commercial relations. Italy is able to talk with ASEAN participants on this issue.
The UNHCR will be able to offer protection services like registration, access to justice, assistance for survivors of gender-based violence, community-based protection, and kid-friendly environments thanks to recent funding from Italy.
Additionally, it will strengthen the refugee communities’ capacity for resilience until they can return to Myanmar through skill development for women and education, where teachers will be trained to use the Myanmar curriculum in the camps.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is grateful for the kind donation of EUR 3 million made by the Italian government to support the ongoing security and humanitarian aid provided to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. H.E. Enrico Nunziata, the Italian ambassador to Bangladesh, and Johannes van der Klaauw, the UNHCR representative, made the news recently.
“This donation from the Government and people of Italy will support UNHCR in continuing to offer vital protection and assistance to the over one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh who still depend on humanitarian aid for survival. “This includes support for refugees’ education and skill development, especially for women and children, as well as access to health, water, and sanitation as well as essential protective services,” said Johannes van der Klaauw. In addition, he said, “This large contribution from Italy, which comes from its budget for foreign policy, underscores the longer-term character of this commitment and is all the more welcome today that we anticipate major reduction in financial support from the international community.”
“In accordance with the Italian Government’s commitment to maintain access to vital and life-sustaining services for refugees living both in Cox’s Bazar camps and on Bhasan Char, the grant from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is a contribution to the activities of the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh and UNHCR on the protection of Rohingya as outlined in the Joint Response Plan. Since the start of the refugee crisis in August 2017, Italy has consistently provided its contribution through major international organizations and UN agencies, praising the efforts and generosity of the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh in hosting hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees on its territory “H.E. Enrico Nunziata said.
“The grant from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is in accordance with the commitment of the Italian Government to maintain access to vital and life-sustaining services for refugees living both in Cox’s Bazar camps and on Bhasan Char. It is a contribution to the activities of the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh and UNHCR on the protection of Rohingya as set forth in the Joint Response Plan. Italy has consistently contributed to the refugee crisis through major international organizations and UN agencies since the beginning of the crisis in August 2017, praising the efforts and generosity of the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh in hosting hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees on its territory “Enrico Nunziata said, “H.E.”
UNHCR will be able to offer protection services like registration, access to justice, assistance for victims of gender-based violence, community-based protection, and kid-friendly areas thanks to the funding from Italy. Additionally, it will strengthen the refugee communities’ capacity for resilience until they can return to Myanmar through skill development for women and education, where teachers will be trained to use the Myanmar curriculum in the camps.
As a crucial component in preventing environmental deterioration in and around the camps, the money will also support the provision of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a safe and clean source of cooking energy. These services include providing shelter, health, nutrition, water, and sanitation.
Approximately 920,000 Rohingya refugees are currently being housed in densely populated camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, five years after being compelled to flee violence in Myanmar, with an additional 30,000 refugees living on Bhasan Char. The aid provided to the Rohingyas by Italy is quite noteworthy.
The United States is seeking to greatly accelerate the resettlement of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh, according to US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.
The US government was asked to accept 100,000 Rohingya, and similar requests were made to the governments of the UK and Japan by Bangladesh’s foreign minister.
In the initial wave, the US government will accept 62 Rohingyas. Every year, “300 to 800 Rohingyas are expected to be relocated to the USA.” Already 24 migrants have left for their new place.
The Rohingya issue had received little attention from Japan, the top liberal democracy in Asia and a strong supporter of Bangladesh on all counts—strategic, financial, and humanitarian. Japan has already provided Bangladesh with financial aid to assist the refugees. After the United States, Japan now wants to resettle some Rohingyas. This program may help bring about a “Third Country Resettlement” solution to the Rohingya situation. After the US, Tokyo’s initiative to resettle Rohingyas is commendable. Italy can now follow in the footsteps of the US and Japan.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Italy’s support would be greatly appreciated. The Rohingya situation can be resolved if they so want.
Four years ago, the United Kingdom, another permanent member of the Security Council, suggested to the body that Myanmar cooperate with the UN to address the Rohingya refugee situation. Due to China and Russia’s rejection of the initiative, the problem did not get very far. If Italy attempts such a move once more under the new conditions, it may be successful. In order to return the Rohingya, the Myanmar government and Bangladesh negotiated a deal in late 2017. Repatriation has not yet begun in accordance with the agreement. Additionally, there are growing security-related crises.
To aid in the repatriation of the Rohingya, greater international participation is required. This requires participation from more nations. The international community must make a concerted effort to deal with this humanitarian situation. Italy can play a significant role because of its widespread respect and reputation in the international community.
Relations and collaboration between Bangladesh and Italy are expanding. Italian investments are growing daily in Bangladesh. Italy should therefore take prompt action to resolve the Bangladeshi issue in order to protect its own interests.
In the ICJ case against Myanmar for the genocidal treatment of the Rohingya, Canada and the Netherlands are offering support. These two nations, together with Italy, ought to speak up. The Rohingya tragedy affects the entire world. Bangladesh is not in a crisis right now.