ASIA/BANGLADESH - Cardinal D'Rozario: guaranteeing dignity and protection to the Rohingya

Cox's Bazar (Agenzia Fides) - "We open our hearts to people who need our support to ensure their existence in this world", said Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario, after having visited, in recent days, the world's largest refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, where 1.1 million Rohingya live. In a video message released for the occasion and sent to Fides, the Cardinal recounted his experience saying: "We are close to them. We ask for the solidarity of people from other nations. When I first came here, everyone was sad. Now I see well-organized camps and they are living in a humane way". The Cardinal explained: "The Rohingya are able to meet some basic needs of life and have decent shelter. It is a step forward. I spoke about the role of Caritas. Dedication, assistance, good aid planning have really given the environment a human face". Of course, the hope is that the Rohingya can return to their homeland in Myanmar: "But this is not simply a bilateral decision between Myanmar and Bangladesh. The international community is committed to this and is involved. If refugees are not sure of their human rights, of their citizenship, of their safety, they will not be ready to leave. We cannot force them to leave, it is also inhuman. These people must be welcomed, they must be protected, they must be supported in their development and human promotion. The situation is very difficult". The Cardinal cited Pope Francis' concern for the Rohingya: "The Holy Father speaks of the Rohingya, remembers and prays for the Rohingya and always keeps good memories in his heart", he said, recalling that in 2017 Pope Francis met Rohingya refugees during his visit to Dhaka. After the visit of the Cardinal, Immanual Chayan Biswas, Operations Manager of the emergency response program of Caritas Bangladesh, told Fides: "In three years of commitment, we have been working on a reception program, which has seen refugees move from temporary shelters to more stable shelters. Through our action, we try to offer concrete solidarity and give hope. In 2017, most Rohingya women and children arrived here with psychological trauma and, in three years, thanks to our psychological and social support program, many women, many children have started to return to normal life".
Caritas Bangladesh works in Cox's Bazar alongside UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, providing a community center and 175 shelters for camp residents.
Several social assistance programs promoted by Caritas Bangladesh are helping Rohingya refugees in their human promotion, in order to promote decent living conditions. (FC) Agenzia Fides, 25/10/2021)

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