Cox’sbazar : The UNHCR in Bangladesh held a two-day meeting with urban Burmese refugees in the border town of Cox's Bazar with the aim of improving conditions for Burmese refugees in Bangladesh, said one refugee U San Mra Aung.
"We discussed with UNHCR officials several refugee-related issues at the meeting. Especially we discussed those issues like resettlement in a third country, refugee security in Bangladesh, and the health and education of children of Burmese refugees," he said.
The meeting started on Wednesday in a hotel in Cox's Bazar and over 100 urban Burmese refugees participated in the meeting.
"The UNHCR team was led by Mr. Jelvas Musau, a protection officer with the UNHCR, and they told us about the future plans for Burmese refugees in Bangladesh. We also submitted our difficulties we have faced here to the UNHCR officials," he added.
According to a refugee source, most Burmese refugees brought up the issue of security in Bangladesh, and pointed out the recent murder of Burmese refugee U Sit Naing, who was killed by local youth in Bandarban for no apparent reason.
At the meeting, UNHCR officials promised the refugees increased security in Bangladesh and an improvement in the living standard among urban Burmese refugees in the future.
Another refugee, Ko Kyaw Thein, said, "The meeting was fruitful for us because we had the chance to discuss freely with the UNHCR officials and we disclosed our willingness and other difficulties to UNHCR officials."
UNHCR officials also revealed some future plans to improve the situation for refugees in Bangladesh and asked for cooperation to help their plan succeed.
The UNCHR office in Bangladesh is now conducting trainings for Burmese refugees to improve their skills in many areas in order to aid their survival and self-sufficiency in Bangladesh.
On Thursday, the last day of the meeting, the UNHCR officials discussed gender as well as HIV/AIDS related issues. The meeting was conducted in the afternoon.
In Bangladesh, there are over 300 Burmese urban refugees, mostly Arakanese refugees who came to Bangladesh after the 1988 democracy uprising and the 2007 Saffron Revolution protests to escape persecution by the military junta.
