Myanmar is yet to undertake steps required to create a favourable environment for the safe and dignified return of the displaced Rohingya community in Bangladesh, to the Rakhine state, a UN assessment says.
UNHCR and UNDP have pledged to remain committed to the Myanmar government's efforts to find a comprehensive solution to the Rohingya crisis, including the implementation of MoU signed by the heads of the two governments, reports UNB.
UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic said the Myanmar government's leadership is critical to implement the agreement that guarantees the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas. UN refugee agency UNHCR and UN development agency UNDP carried out initial assessments in 23 villages and three village tracts in Myanmar's Rakhine State in September.
It had been more than a year since UNHCR had been able to engage with the affected communities in the northern areas of Rakhine State, after more than 720,000 Rohingya refugees fled to Bangladesh in 2017.
The assessments noted a few attempts by the authorities to facilitate these first steps, limited in scope and in the locations visited.
On October 5, the UNHCR spokesperson said although the field visits by UNHCR and UNDP did not allow for broader conclusions, they provided an initial understanding of the challenges faced by those living there.
"Our teams assessed immediate community needs and priorities for our short-term actions," Mahecic said. "The rapid assessments also helped to identify community initiatives that could support government's efforts to improve the lives of all affected populations, build trust and promote social cohesion among all communities."
The teams also observed serious effects over the past weeks, including diminishing livelihoods which significantly increased the vulnerabilities of all communities remaining in Rakhine.
Communities spoke of the cumulative effect of restrictions on movement that further shrunk their access to livelihoods and basic services, according to the assessment.
The Muslim community, especially, are not allowed to freely move inside their communities.
Fear and mistrust made an impact on access to education, health and other basic services, and limited interactions between communities that could other build confidence and social cohesion, the UNHCR spokesperson said.
The communities visited by the team members often spoke of challenges faced while availing health services, as well as restrictions on the Muslim population in accessing education.
Fear of neighbouring communities and a sense of insecurity were seen prevalent in many areas.
These reasons force communities to live in isolation which lowered the prospects for contacts, mutual understanding and inter-communal cohesion; the assessment report says adding that this is especially notable for relations between the Muslim community and other communities in Rakhine.
Assessment teams also observed that some communities, particularly those living in close proximity to each other, have maintained or restarted interactions.
"Encouragingly, most of those we spoke to expressed hope for peace in Rakhine, and a number of them indicated willingness to incrementally strengthen or restore relations," said Andrej Mahecic.
Initiatives such as building confidence and improving conditions among the remaining communities will be essential in bringing people together- to alleviate poverty and to address health and educational disparities, said the spokesperson.
The assessment teams were welcomed by all the communities, and they showed eagerness when attempted to engage with them. There were no signs of animosity.
As of Friday morning, UNHCR and UNDP teams have started a second phase of assessments in the townships of Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung based on travel authorisations received in the past 24 hours.
