Australia signs Tk155cr deal to support Rohingya crisis

Australia on Wednesday signed a fresh A$18 million (around Tk155 crore) agreement with BRAC to support Rohingya refugees and host communities.
Australian High Commissioner Susan Ryle and BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh signed the agreement in Dhaka in the presence of Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu.
Under the agreement, BRAC will implement programmes on healthcare, water and sanitation, education, skills development, disaster risk management and protection in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
Speaking at the event, Dulu said the Rohingya crisis was a global humanitarian issue and thanked Australia for its continued support.
“Bangladesh has been providing shelter to the Rohingya for a long time out of its humanitarian responsibility,” he said.
Meanwhile, British High Commissioner Sarah Cook met Dulu at the Secretariat on Wednesday to discuss issues of mutual interest and ways to strengthen ties between the two countries.
They discussed UK-Bangladesh cooperation in disaster management, including earthquake and lightning preparedness, as well as economic development, trade and business.
Both sides expressed interest in strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new areas of cooperation. State Minister M Iqbal Hossain and senior officials of the ministry were present at the meeting.