Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has urged the World Food Programme 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 Rohingyas now sheltered in Bangladesh to Myanmar.

He made the call when the newly appointed Country Director of UN World Food Programme (WFP) Domenico Scalpelli presented his credentials to the Bangladesh Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (Aug 11).

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.

Momen took interest in Scalpelli’s previous experience of serving in Myanmar, and urged WFP and other UN agencies to help safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Scalpelli appreciated Bangladesh’s generosity to host the forcibly displaced Rohingya 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 urged WFP to enhance its focus on the issue of nutrition as part of its various programmes carried out in collaboration with the Government.

The WFP Country Representative thanked Bangladesh for providing leadership of its Executive Board at a critical time for the international community. The Foreign Minister assured Scalpelli of necessary cooperation from the government in effectively discharging his mandate.