UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkır has applauded the Bangladesh government’s project to temporarily shelter around 100,000 Rohingya refugees in Bhasan Char (Bhasan Island), located in Hatiya sub-district, about 60 km from the mainland on the Bay of Bengal.

Describing the initiative as humane and an example for the world,  Bozkır said he was  shown video footages of the buildings in the island and thought they were strong.

The Turkish diplomat made the observation at a press briefing after a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen during a two-day trip, The Daily Star reported.

They discussed the Rohingya crisis, climate change, migration, peacekeeping, Palestine issues, among others, Volkan said.

Bozkir also called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He applauded Bangladesh for its socio-economic progress and sheltering Rohingya refugees.

"I have no scope at this moment to visit the island (Bhasan Char) but I saw a video on it and liked very much the very nice arrangements, the strong buildings," he said.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen sought more support on the issues of climate change and migration.

Bangladesh has decided to construct 100,000 houses for the Rohingya refugees, who fled Myanmar where they were being persecuted.

Already, 18,000 refugees have been housed on the island.

(SAM)