ZCZC
BSS-09
WB PRESIDENT-ROHINGYAS
World Bank calls for global support to Rohingya crisis
DHAKA, July 03, 2018 (BSS) – The World Bank President Jim Yong Kim today
said Bangladesh needs more support from the world to help a million Rohingyas
driven by violence from Myanmar as he concluded a two-day visit here with the
United Nations Secretary-General.
President Kim, along with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, visited
the Kutupalong camp in Cox’s Bazar, the largest and most densely populated
forcibly displaced Rohingya settlement in the world, said a World Bank media
release today.
“I saw firsthand the sheer scale of the crisis and spoke with women and
men facing extreme hardships. They are waiting for a chance to return to
their village. Bangladesh has done a great service by keeping its borders
open and supporting the Rohingyas. But much more needs to be done as monsoon
rains, natural disasters and disease outbreaks are increasing. The
international community needs to step up support,” said Kim.
Kim and Guterres interacted with Rohingya women and men and visited the
transit camp, health centers and women-friendly spaces. In Cox’s Bazar, the
Rohingya number more than twice the local population, putting pressure on
infrastructure and services.
Kim met with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Finance Minister,
the Foreign Minister and other senior government officials on Sunday.
While commending Bangladesh for its generosity in providing a shelter
for the Rohingya people, he emphasized the World Bank’s commitment to help
the host community and the Rohingya people.
“The World Bank will help Bangladesh sustain its impressive development
progress while managing the dire situation created by this large influx. We
have mobilized $480 million grant-based support, which will help build
country capacity to deal with the crisis,” he said.
He said “Bangladesh has emerged as a global leader in reducing poverty
and creating opportunities for all. The World Bank considers Bangladesh an
important partner in reducing global poverty. We are firm on our commitment
to enhance support to help Bangladesh achieve its vision of an upper-middle
income status.”
World Bank support to Bangladesh has expanded in the last five years,
with financing more than doubling. This year it reached a record high
commitment of $3 billion.
BSS/PR/GM/ SA/ 1315 HRS