Mr SAIDA Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, made his first official visit to the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar on Thursday (April 17), where more than one million displaced Rohingya people reside. The visit underscores Japan's ongoing commitment to humanitarian support and development in the region.
During his visit, Ambassador SAIDA toured several key facilities, including the Registration Centre, Food Distribution Centre, Learning Centre, and Teachers Training Centre. He also visited the Livelihoods Skills Development & Production Centre, Innovation Valley, Women-Led Community Centre, and the Community Initiative Society Project site.
Ambassador SAIDA also attended the inauguration ceremony of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)'s "Improvement of Fish Landing Centre of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation in Cox's Bazar District" project. He held official meetings with the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and the Armed Police Battalion (APBN) to discuss ongoing efforts and future collaboration.
Since the large influx of Rohingya refugees in August 2017, Japan has contributed over USD 250 million to support humanitarian and development activities in both Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char. These contributions, made through international organisations and NGOs, have provided vital assistance in food security, healthcare, water and sanitation (WASH), shelter, protection, and gender mainstreaming.
Additionally, in response to the flash floods that affected northern and southeastern Bangladesh in September, including the Rohingya camps, the Government of Japan extended emergency aid worth USD 1 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Reflecting on his visit, Ambassador SAIDA said, "This is my first visit to the Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar, and I understand the current situation in the camps impacted by the reduction of international support. At the same time, I saw how the aid funds provided by the Japanese government were being maximised in the refugee camps through the Bangladesh government, UN agencies, and NGOs. Japan will continue to support resolving this issue, including funding assistance and cooperation with the government and relevant agencies. Moreover, I am honoured to attend the inauguration of the JICA project, and I hope this new opening will improve the living conditions of host communities."
As the Rohingya crisis approaches its eighth year, Japan urges the global community to maintain attention and support, despite the emergence of multiple humanitarian crises around the world. The Government of Japan reaffirmed its commitment to working toward a durable and peaceful resolution to the Rohingya issue, in close collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and international partners.
