World must not turn away from Rohingyas: Angelina Jolie

UNHCR special envoy and Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie has said the world must not turn away from the nearly 1 million Rohingyas who have fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh.

Jolie, who left early yesterday concluding her Bangladesh visit, also sought continued support for those who have been displaced, until the Myanmar authorities show the genuine commitment needed to end decades-long cycle of violence and displacement.

The special envoy's visit came just ahead of a new funding appeal, the 2019 Joint Response Plan (JRP), to be launched next week by UNHCR, along with other humanitarian agencies, said the UN refugee agency yesterday. It seeks to raise more than US$920 million to assist Rohingya refugees and affected local communities this year.

Jolie held official meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday. 

While in Dhaka, Jolie also visited Liberation War Museum and Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.

Jolie began her three-day visit on Monday in Chakmarkul and Kutupalong Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, where she heard testimonies of Rohingya women, children and men.