Cox's bazar: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday highlighted the humanitarian plight of Rohingya Muslims living in refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. 'Unfortunately, a humanitarian tragedy is unfolding here. Trkiye's helping hand has reached out here just as it has everywhere else, but of course, I wish these tragedies did not exist, and I wish we were not in a position where we had to provide aid,' Fidan told Anadolu during a visit to the camp as part of his two-day official trip to Bangladesh.
According to Anadolu Agency, Fidan emphasized the importance of providing assistance not only to neighboring regions but also to distant areas facing hardship. 'There is a great sensitivity demonstrated by our President (Recep Tayyip Erdogan), particularly regarding the delivery of aid to the oppressed and those in need,' he said. Noting that more than 1 million Rohingya Muslims are living in the camps, Fidan added that Turkish aid organizations and relevant institutions have been providing healthcare and other services since the onset of the crisis. These efforts include both public and civil society organizations.
Fidan, who also visited the field hospital established by Trkiye in the region, commented on the dedication of the medical and support staff working under challenging conditions thousands of kilometers away. 'We are here with our doctors and staff. Our colleagues are working tirelessly under these conditions. No amount of thanks would be enough,' he remarked.
The foreign minister also stressed the importance of transitioning from temporary solutions to more sustainable ones, while expressing gratitude to the Bangladeshi government for their hospitality. 'They are showing great hospitality here as well. When our brothers and sisters in Syria fled the war, we opened our arms to millions of them. Our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters are doing the same,' he stated. Despite unfavorable conditions, Fidan noted the high morale of healthcare workers and other staff, acknowledging their relentless efforts.
More than 1 million Rohingya Muslims live as refugees in sprawling and overcrowded camps in the Cox's Bazar region of Bangladesh, according to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).