GENEVA, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency UNHCR together with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) on Wednesday signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on the refugee issue, the UNHCR said.
In a statement issued Wednesday here, UNHCR said that the new MoU is a "first and necessary step" to establish a framework for cooperation between the UN and the Myanmar Government to create conducive conditions for the return of refugees to places of origin or of their choosing.
The new memorandum is also aimed at helping to create improved and resilient livelihoods for all communities living in Myanmar's Rakhine State, the statement said.
According to the agreement reached earlier this week, this tripartite Memorandum will provide a framework for UNHCR and UNDP to be given access to Rakhine State, including to refugees' places of origin and areas of potential return that has not been permitted since violence broke out in August 2017.
The access, once effective, will allow UNHCR to assess the conditions on the ground and carry out protection activities.
This will also enable UNHCR to eventually provide independent information to refugees about the conditions in their places of origin, helping them to make informed decisions if the conditions are right for them to return in safety and dignity.
The MoU will also allow the two UN agencies to carry out needs assessments in affected communities and strengthen the capacity of local authorities to support the voluntary repatriation process.
According to the UNHCR, the MoU will also affirm the Myanmar Government's commitment to work with UNHCR and UNDP to find a solution for the Rohingya population, in line with the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State.
The recommendations include establishing a clear and voluntary pathway to citizenship and ensuring freedom of movement for all people in Rakhine State, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or citizenship status.
On April 13, 2018, the Government of Bangladesh and UNHCR also signed a MoU relating to voluntary returns of Rohingya refugees once conditions in Myanmar are deemed conducive.
On Aug. 25, 2017, a Rohingya militia allegedly attacked three police posts in the Rakhine state and sparked the government's return of attacks. The exchanges of fire have caused hundreds of thousands to flee into neighboring Bangladesh.
