Bangladesh Navy ship BNS Somudra Avijan returned to Chattogram today after completing a humanitarian mission in earthquake-hit Myanmar, bringing home a rescue team and 20 Bangladeshi nationals, who had been detained there for nearly two years.
The vessel departed Myanmar’s Yangon Port on 13 April following successful handover of 120 tonnes of relief materials as part of the third phase of Bangladesh’s humanitarian assistance to its disaster-stricken neighbour, according to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release here.
The ship carried back a 55-member rescue and medical team, including personnel from the Armed Forces Division, Fire Service and Civil Defence, and civilian medical professionals, who had been deployed on 30 March and 1 April.
During their deployment, the team conducted rescue operations, cleared debris from collapsed structures, treated injured survivors, and assisted in preventing illegal arms trafficking in the quake-hit areas.
Upon completion of their assignment, the team boarded BNS Somudra Avijan for the return journey.
The ship also repatriated 20 Bangladeshi nationals who had fallen victim to human trafficking and were detained in Myanmar. Most of them had been trafficked under false promises of jobs and migration to developed countries.
Several minors were reportedly held in juvenile correction facilities on charges of illegal entry.
The Government and people of Myanmar expressed appreciation for Bangladesh’s humanitarian support during the crisis.
Officials said the repatriated citizens would be formally handed over to the concerned authorities upon arrival for further processing and rehabilitation.
The successful mission was carried out under the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Armed Forces Division, and Bangladesh’s Embassy in Myanmar, with the cooperation of the Myanmar government, said the release.
