Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DHAKA3417
2005-07-19 07:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:  

VISIT TO MAKESHIFT ROHINGYA CAMPS

Tags:  PREF PHUM BG 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 003417 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2015
TAGS: PREF PHUM BG
SUBJECT: VISIT TO MAKESHIFT ROHINGYA CAMPS


Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough, Reason(s): 1.4 (b),(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 003417

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2015
TAGS: PREF PHUM BG
SUBJECT: VISIT TO MAKESHIFT ROHINGYA CAMPS


Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough, Reason(s): 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (SBU) On July 15, poloff accompanied a delegation of eight
donor country diplomats to visit makeshift Rohingya refugee
camps near the city of Teknaf to emphasize to local officials
the importance of improving the situation of the 200,000 plus
estimated Rohingyan refugees living in squalor outside of the
official UNHCR refugee camps.


2. (C) The EU ambassador as well as the resident UNHCR
representative questioned Shahjahan Chowdhury, local BNP MP,
as to why no progress has been made since their last joint
visit in December 2004 to move the 12,000 people from the
Domdomia Kerontoli makeshift settlement to a better location
for improved living conditions. Highlighting the monsoon
season's ability to destroy Domdomia Kerontoli due to its low
lying location close to bodies of water, the EU ambassador
expressed frustration at the lack of action on behalf of the
BDG even after repeated promises from the ministerial level
and PMO's office on down.


3. (SBU) Local officials cited HIV/AIDS health concerns,
high rates of sex workers amongst the community, and lack of
response from their offices in Dhaka as explanations for the
unchanging location of the makeshift settlement. MP
Chowdhury claimed that the people in Domdomia Kerontoli did
not want to move to another location because it would be too
inconvenient for their fishing livelihoods. When asked,
residents were reluctant to say whether or not they favored
relocation, only that they wanted peaceful and harmonious
lives.


4. (C) According to a written UNHCR assessment, "There are
clear signs that the government has no intention to solve the
problems and to continue to use this small group of refugees
for political and personal gains."


5. (C) Comment: The exchange with local officials in Teknaf
underscores the lack of BDG political will to improve the
living conditions of Rohingyans in and out of the refugee
camps.
CHAMMAS