KAMAL Khera, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, will visit Bangladesh from May 20 to 23 to gain a better understanding of the situation on the ground in Cox’s Bazar and to see first-hand the activities of key partners as Canada continues to be concerned by the deteriorating security situation in Myanmar and the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh, according to Global Affairs Canada.

“Canada is working with key stakeholders, including humanitarian and development partners, to help address the needs of the refugees and affected local communities in Bangladesh and to seek longer-term solutions in Myanmar that would enable refugees to have a safe, voluntary and dignified return to their homes,”  said Khera.

Since August 2017, over 741,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh to escape violence and persecution. Bangladesh has welcomed the displaced refugees and facilitated the delivery of gender-responsive humanitarian assistance in the camps and development programming for host communities affected by the crisis.

During her visit, Khera will meet with humanitarian and development partners and representatives of the Government of Bangladesh to discuss the tremendous efforts being made to respond to this crisis as well as challenges to be faced and priorities to be established in moving forward. She will also meet with people directly affected by the crisis to gain a better understanding of their needs.

Following the Bangladesh trip, Parliamentary Secretary Khera will travel to Oslo, Norway, to attend the conference on Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Humanitarian Crises.