Chalk Out A Domestic Rohingya Policy

Fresh batches of Rohingya are coming to Bangladesh. Some countries in Middle East and India are driving them towards Bangladesh. In recent weeks, clashes erupted between Rakhine separatist groups and Tatmadaw. Peace and reconciliatory moves to create the right atmosphere in Rakhine State now linger in uncertainties. It has become evident that we have to host this hapless people for an indeterminate period.

For the last 7 or 8 months , I have been arguing for a domestic Rohingy policy. Introduction of a bill in the parliament detailing the tasks of managing the Rohingya crisis till all of them repatriated.

Unlike other refugee situation, very few countries step forward to provide them shelters. Bangladesh is leading the way in abating this crisis by housing more than a million Rohingya and providing some of the basic needs.

However, drawing resources to facilitate the relief efforts for this vulnerable group has met some setbacks. Despite the pledges from leading multilateral financial institutions, worries are there. There have been reports that actual contribution to relief programs fell short of aid promises made by others.

Provided the long duration of the crisis, some policy measures are necessary in a bid to develop the Rohingya population and ensure sustainable livelihoods. That means more aid commitment. While the existing commitment is not met, it will not be practical to expect more.

One viable solution is to make sure that development partners made some "trade commitments" in terms of providing market access to Rohingya made good. I will articulate this later but first take a deeper look at the Rohingya development.

Provided the camp conditions are not suitable for secondary and higher secondary education, education institutions outside the camps could be seen as alternatives. Capacity of these institutions have to be increased. Pre-fabricated structures may be built to accommodate the new students.

Next comes recruitment of teachers.As the Rohingya students will follow some of curriculum of the Rakhine education system, recruitment of suitable teachers is the next big challenge. Some of the teachers may be recruited from abroad.

Some NGO run schools in the camps are already providing pre-primary and primary education. Two years down the line we need tocater to the demand of education need of the Rohingya children. Moreover, many secondary-school-going Rohingya children stay idle in the camps. To bring them back to school, an urgent policy needs to be drawn.

Now the crucial question is who is going to finance the education of the Rohingya children. World Bank has shown some keen interest. But more donors are needed. I think a better idea will be to draw some funds from ME countries. Bangladesh can put into work its thawed relations with Saudi Arabia in this regard. For instance, Bangladesh can scuttle the the projects for building religious cultural institutes across the country and divert the money to finance the education of the Rohingyas under its supervision. The point is the education provided will not be theological but will be in line with curriculum prevails in Bangladesh and Myanmar. One stumbling block is to consult with Saudi Arabia and to make them agree to this new initiative.

Another source could be aid pledges for this goal from our existing development partners or countries who are sympathetic towards the Rohingyas.

For able Rohingya students, Bangladesh can allow them to pursue tertiary education at universities and colleges. Special scholarship fund can be formed to finance higher education of the Rohingyas.

Creating sustainable livelihoods for the Rohingyas is another challenge. I have long been arguing for a " Made By Rohingya" campaign, which will popularize the Rohingya made goods abroad.To make it successful, Bangladesh should train thousands of Rohingya entrepreneurs. And provide them capital or initial seed money.

Sympathetic governments need to take initiatives to create some kind of markets of these goods in those countries. For instance, armies of these countries buy huge quantity of knit items every year. Spending is done by public money. Friendly countries may maintain some quotas for these items and allot them to Rohingya entrepreneurs.

This trade access is more beneficial than any aid pledges. It will truly empower the Rohingyas.
When it comes to set up businesses, deal with financial transactions, status of the Rohingyas is a major challenge. Government can offer them some kind of identity status, not a citizenship, by introducing a special bill in the parliament.

This Rohingya act will acknowledge their refugee status in this country and at the same time allow them to have a special identity card, open bank account, set up business and rent land or commercial space.

This act is quintessential to chalk out a contingency plan for the Rohingyas. It will not only contain the holistic plans for addressing the crisis, but will also bear ideas for dignified future of a stateless community.