DHAKA, 30 July 2021, (TON): The government and the United Nations are close to finalising a protection policy for the Rohingya management in Bhasan Char, with a deal expected by the middle of next month.

The relocation of the 80,000 Rohingyas will start in October, said officials after a meeting on Wednesday between foreign ministry officials, led by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, and a UN delegation, led by UN Resident Coordinator Mia Seppo.

Last month a committee was formed, headed by Disaster Management Secretary Md Mohsin, to draft the policy that would address issues such as shelter for the UN and other aid agencies, the voluntariness of the Rohingyas for relocation, transport modalities for aid workers, provision for Rohingyas to travel to Cox's Bazar.

The committee, which has already held two meetings with the UN representative, will hold another meeting next week.

Mohsin told media "we hope to finalise the policy in the next meeting and start the relocation after the monsoon."

So far, the government and the UN have agreed on education, livelihood, health and other protection issues for the Rohingyas.

However, some small issues need to be settled.

The UN wants to determine the voluntariness of the Rohingya relocation to Bhasan Char, an island in Noakhali, and the livelihood options available there.

"They say Bhasan Char is an isolated place and the Rohingyas need to be engaged in activities. Those activities must be robust. We said we also want the Rohingyas to be involved in some form of income-generating activities."

The government has already begun some projects to ensure livelihood for the Rohingyas.

The UN also has some issues regarding the residential arrangement for its and other aid agencies' staff.