In a significant gesture of solidarity and support, Mr. IWAMA Kiminori, the Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, embarked on an insightful recent visit to the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. Accompanied by the renowned Japanese actress, Ms. Sahel Rose, who shares her own narrative of resilience and hope, having been orphaned in Iran before being adopted and finding a new life in Japan, the visit underscored the ongoing humanitarian challenges faced by approximately 1 million Rohingya refugees.

During his visit, Ambassador IWAMA explored several key initiatives aimed at improving the lives of the refugee population, including an E-voucher Outlet, a Centre dedicated to Livelihood Skills Development and Training & Production, and a Learning Centre located in Kutupalong and Camp 4. These visits highlighted the multifaceted support provided by Japan, which has generously contributed over $220 million since August 2017 towards various relief efforts in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, through collaborations with international organizations and NGOs. The assistance has spanned crucial areas such as food aid, healthcare, water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), shelter, protection, and gender mainstreaming.

Reflecting on the visit, Ambassador IWAMA expressed his admiration for the collaborative efforts of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in facilitating his visit. He emphasized the importance of Ms. Sahel Rose’s presence, hoping that her experiences at the camps would resonate back in Japan, fostering greater awareness and support.

With over six years since the onset of the crisis, Ambassador IWAMA’s visit serves as a critical reminder of the need to maintain global attention and support for the Rohingya refugees amidst other emerging global emergencies. Japan remains steadfast in its commitment to contribute towards a sustainable resolution of the Rohingya issue, emphasizing the importance of international solidarity and cooperation.