Japan's Nippon Foundation Funds Rohingya Refugee Skills Training

Japanese philanthropic group Nippon Foundation's Chairman Sasakawa Yohei, center, poses for photographs with Rohingya refugees during a visit to Bhasan Char island in the Bay of Bengal, in Bangladesh,

Japan's Nippon Foundation has pledged $2 million to assist in relocating tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees to a remote island in Bangladesh. The foundation aims to provide skills training to the refugees, with the goal of facilitating their eventual return to Myanmar.

Since August 2017, around 700,000 Rohingya individuals fled Myanmar to seek refuge in Bangladesh following a brutal crackdown by the military. The violence, which included widespread atrocities, was condemned by global rights organizations and the United Nations as ethnic cleansing and genocide.

Efforts to repatriate the refugees to Myanmar have faced challenges, particularly due to the deteriorating security situation in the country. The Nippon Foundation's initiative includes moving approximately 40,000 Rohingya to the remote island of Bhashan Char.

Nippon Foundation supports relocating 40,000 Rohingya to Bhashan Char island.

700,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar to Bangladesh due to military crackdown.

Bangladesh invests in infrastructure on Bhashan Char for refugee settlement.

Efforts to repatriate Rohingya to Myanmar face challenges amid security concerns.

While Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has emphasized that the refugees will not be compelled to return to Myanmar, she has called on the international community to pressure Myanmar to ensure a safe repatriation process.

The relocation efforts to Bhashan Char, initially met with opposition, have gained acceptance as the first groups of refugees have settled on the island. The government of Bangladesh has invested in infrastructure on the island, including embankments, schools, hospitals, and mosques powered by solar energy.

The Nippon Foundation's chairman highlighted the importance of skills training for the refugees, emphasizing that it will be crucial for their successful reintegration upon their return to Myanmar. The foundation's support is part of broader efforts to address the Rohingya crisis and promote national reconciliation in Myanmar.

As Myanmar grapples with ongoing ethnic conflicts, the Nippon Foundation and other stakeholders are advocating for a democratic transition in the country as a key step towards resolving long-standing divisions. The foundation's chairman underscored the significance of Myanmar's return to democracy in achieving lasting peace and unity.

Regional cooperation, particularly through the ASEAN bloc, is seen as essential in engaging Myanmar and fostering dialogue to address the complex challenges facing the country.