Malaysia and other Asean countries will jointly create pressure on Myanmar government to speed repatriation of Rohingya people who fled persecution in Myanmar and took refuge in Bangladesh, the deputy prime minister of Malaysia said today.

Bangladesh and Malaysia can be significant partners in solving the Rohingya crisis, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said after visiting the Rohingya refugee camps set up in Kutupalong of Ukhia upazila in Cox's Bazar around 10:00am, reports our Cox's Bazar staff correspondent. 

Both International communities and United Nations also need to co-ordinate with each other to send back the Rohingya refugees, Hamidi told reporters after visiting Rohingya people, both registered and unregistered.

The deputy prime minister also expressed deep concern over the escalation of Rohingya refugee crisis. 

IOM director general visits Rohingya refugee camps

International Organization for Migration Director General William Lacy Swing is visiting Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar to observe refugee crisis on the ground.

He arrived in Dhaka yesterday afternoon on a four-day visit that aims to demonstrate the enormity of the humanitarian needs of Rohingyas and the UN response to it to address the urgent needs of greater humanitarian support.

As part of his one day official trip, Swing first visited Kutupalong registered Rohingya camp and Kutupalong makeshift settlements.

His visit schedule also includes Balukhali makeshift settlement and the spontaneous settlements at Gundhum border, says a statement of IOM, the UN Migration Agency.

During the visit, Swing will stop by health, water, sanitation and shelter interventions, child friendly spaces, consultation centers, food distribution, and nutrition activities for the Rohingyas run by the UN agencies and other NGOs.

Swing's visit also intends to mobilise the urgently needed resources to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance and protection to refugees in Bangladesh and its host communities, including proper registration, as set out in the response plan.