On Friday, the United Nations urged an end to violence in Myanmar, marking the seventh anniversary of the mass displacement of Rohingya and other communities from Rakhine State. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated that around 1 million Rohingya are currently sheltering in Bangladesh, with over 130,000 more dispersed across the region without immediate prospects for return.
Dujarric emphasized the dire security and humanitarian situation in Myanmar, especially in Rakhine State, where escalating armed conflict continues to worsen the vulnerabilities faced by the Rohingya and other affected communities.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on all parties involved in the conflict to cease hostilities and protect civilians in line with international human rights and humanitarian laws. He also reiterated the need to bolster regional protection efforts and support host countries through the 2024 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis in Bangladesh.
Julie Bishop, the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy on Myanmar, is actively engaging with all stakeholders, including regional actors, to advance an inclusive Myanmar-led process aimed at achieving sustainable peace and national reconciliation. This process is vital for creating conditions that would allow for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of the Rohingya to Myanmar.
The Rohingya exodus began on August 25, 2017, following a brutal military crackdown against the Muslim minority in Myanmar’s northern region. Since then, approximately 1.2 million Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh and are currently residing in Cox’s Bazar refugee camps.
