National
UK Allocates £3 Million in New Funding to Aid Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh
The Permanent Under-Secretary of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), Sir Philip Barton, has announced a new funding commitment of £3,000,000 (equivalent to approximately TK 42 crore) to support Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
During his visit to Bangladesh, Sir Philip Barton stated, “I am pleased to announce a further UK contribution of £3,000,000 to UNHCR, which will help ensure refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char can access essential services such as healthcare, clean water, hygiene, sanitation, and cooking fuel.”
This additional funding will be directed through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), according to a press release from the British High Commission.
Sir Philip Barton emphasized the UK’s steadfast commitment to standing with the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, as well as all those impacted by this ongoing crisis, which originated from the atrocities of 2017 that forced Rohingyas into Bangladesh.
He further expressed the UK’s advocacy for a long-term solution that would enable refugees to return to Myanmar under safe, voluntary, and dignified conditions, contingent upon favorable conditions in Myanmar. Until that becomes feasible, the UK remains dedicated to supporting both the Rohingya refugees and the host communities in Bangladesh.
Since 2017, the United Kingdom has provided a substantial total of £365 million (equivalent to over 5,000 crore taka) in aid to assist the Rohingya population and the Bangladeshi host communities.
Sir Philip Barton’s visit to Bangladesh marks the fifth UK-Bangladesh Strategic Dialogue, which underscores the historical ties between the UK and Bangladesh and highlights both nations’ shared commitment to forging a modern economic, trade, and security partnership, as affirmed by the British High Commission.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
