Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy, Mr. Rakibul Haq, has requested the World Food Programme (WFP) to increase food aid for Rohingya refugees and play a more active role in their swift repatriation.
The Ambassador made these remarks during a meeting with WFP Executive Director Ms. Cindy McCain at the WFP headquarters in Rome on November 22nd, 2024, after presenting his credentials as the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh.
The Ambassador and Permanent Representative noted that the number of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh continues to rise due to ongoing violence and ethnic cleansing in Myanmar, leading to an increase in the birth rate within refugee camps and an influx of new refugees. He emphasised the need for regular data collection and expansion of WFP's emergency food assistance programs. The Ambassador also stressed the importance of including all refugees in the fortified rice distribution programme.
The Ambassador further sought the Executive Director's cooperation in expanding microcredit programs to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable farmers affected by climate change in Bangladesh and in developing policies to increase the use of locally produced food in government-run school feeding programmes.
The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for WFP's emergency food assistance and relief efforts in war-torn countries like Gaza and urged the organisation to ensure food security for all Palestinians. He thanked the Executive Director for her support during Bangladesh's tenure as President of the WFP Executive Board in 2022. He assured her of Bangladesh's continued active role as a member of the Board.
Executive Director Ms. Cindy McCain congratulated the Ambassador and requested his active participation in all WFP activities as the Permanent Representative. She assured the Ambassador that WFP would actively consider expanding its humanitarian food assistance programmes for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
