YANGON, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- A total of 3,450 verified displaced persons are expected to be repatriated to Myanmar from Bangladesh on Thursday, prompting the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to request Myanmar to access the resettlement sites, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.
The repatriation will be made in accordance with the bilateral agreements between Myanmar and Bangladesh and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Myanmar and the UNHCR and the UN Development Program (UNDP) signed on June 6, 2018, U Chan Aye, director-general of the International Organization and Economic Department of the Foreign Ministry, told a meeting with Deputy Representative of UNHCR (Myanmar) Cecile Fradot in Nay Pyi Taw Monday.
Under the MoU between Myanmar and the UNHCR, the UN organization could propose related assistance to provide for the resettlement of the returnees on their return to the country.
The MoU was extended for another one year on May 28, 2019.
Under the MoU, the Myanmar government has allowed UNHCR and UNDP to conduct independent field assessments in over 80 villages as of July 13 and to implement 34 quick impact projects as of Sept. 5 in order to benefit all communities and the potential returnees.
Myanmar vowed to ensure voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation in receiving returnees from Bangladesh, urging the UNHCR to continue assisting the repatriation process for those who really want to return back to Rakhine state.
The Myanmar government has also been inviting cooperation from home and the international community to help the country rebuild and resettle the conflict-torn western state.
The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) extremists launched repeated attacks on police outposts in Rakhine state on Aug. 25, 2017, displacing a vast number of residents to areas bordering Bangladesh.
