Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen has urged UN World Food Programme (WFP) and other UN agencies operating in Myanmar's Rakhine State to help create an environment conducive to the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya, now sheltered in Bangladesh, to Myanmar.
The foreign minister came up with the call as the newly Country Director of UN WFP Domenico Scalpelli presented his credentials to him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, reports BSS.
Taking interest in Scalpelli's previous experience of serving in Myanmar, Dr Momen recalled his last meeting with the WFP Executive Director David M. Beasely and thanked WFP for commencing work in support of the Rohingya relocated to Bhashan Char.
The WFP country representative informed the foreign minister about his upcoming trip to Bhashan Char, and thanked the government for providing support to WFP staff with accommodation, transportation and other facilities there, a statement reads this evening.
During the meeting, Scalpelli appreciated Bangladesh's generosity to host the forcibly displaced Rohingyas and urged the Foreign Minister to impress upon the international community to continue support for WFP's much-needed work in the humanitarian crisis.
The Bangladesh Foreign Minister raised concerns over food insecurity around the world, and suggested setting up a Regional Food Bank in South Asia as a strategic reserve for the region.
He called upon the WFP to enhance its focus on the issue of nutrition as part of its various programmes carried out in collaboration with the Government.
The Foreign Minister assured Scalpelli of providing necessary cooperation from the government in effectively discharging his assignment here.
