Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Friday, where he reviewed Turkish-funded healthcare, education and humanitarian assistance programmes and interacted with Rohingya refugees to learn about their current living conditions.
Leading a 32-member high-level delegation, Fidan visited Rohingya camps 9, 16, and 17 in the Balukhali area of Ukhiya between 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm.
Earlier in the day, the Turkish foreign minister arrived in Cox’s Bazar by air from Dhaka. Humayun Kabir welcomed him at Cox’s Bazar Airport.
From the airport, Fidan travelled directly to Rohingya Camp 9 in Balukhali, where he inspected the activities of a field hospital established with Turkish support. He exchanged views with doctors and healthcare workers and also spoke with Rohingya patients receiving treatment at the facility.
The delegation later visited Camps 16 and 17. At Camp 17, the Turkish Red Crescent and the Turkish Diyanet Foundation implemented humanitarian programmes that the delegation members observed.
They subsequently visited the Multipurpose Education and Cultural Centre operated by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) in Camp 16.
During the visit, the delegation was briefed on educational activities, skills development training, and cultural programmes for Rohingya children and adolescents. They also held discussions with teachers and officials involved in the programmes.
Throughout the visit, the Turkish foreign minister received updates on the refugees’ living conditions, healthcare services, educational opportunities and ongoing humanitarian assistance efforts. Representatives of various organisations working in the camps also briefed the delegation on field-level realities and operational challenges.
After nearly one and a half hours of inspections, the delegation left the camp area for Cox’s Bazar at around 5:30 pm before returning to Dhaka later in the evening.
Among those present during the visit were Mizanur Rahman, Ramis Sen, Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rifat Asma, Officer-in-Charge of Ukhiya Police Station Mohammad Mujibur Rahman, officials of the 8th Armed Police Battalion (APBn), RAB-15, and members of other law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Commander of the 8th Armed Police Battalion, Riaz Uddin Ahmed, said that security measures in the Rohingya camps had been strengthened for the visit and that the programme was completed peacefully.
Since the onset of the Rohingya crisis in 2017, Türkiye has been providing healthcare, education, food assistance, and other humanitarian support to Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh. According to officials, Fidan’s visit reflects Türkiye’s continued commitment to supporting displaced Rohingya communities through humanitarian assistance and development programmes.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
