By Ruma Paul

DHAKA, Reuters – U.N. officials have signed a contract with Bangladesh to offer basic services to Rohingya Muslim refugees who were moved to camps in a Bay of Bengal island.

Nearly 19,000 Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh have been moved to Bhasan Char Island by the Bangladeshi government, despite opposition from some rights groups and protests from refugees.

The densely populated South Asian nation wants the island to be able to house about 10% of 1,000,000 Rohingya refugees, who are currently living in cramped border camps in order to flee violence in Myanmar.

UNHCR is the U.N. refugee organization. It said Saturday’s agreement allowed close cooperation between the government and UNHCR to provide services for island’s increasing refugee population.

UNHCR said that these areas include protection, education and skills-training. They will also help refugees live decently on the island, and better prepare them to make a sustainable return to Myanmar.

After singing the accord, Mohammad Mohsin (a high ranking official from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief) told reporters that 81,000 Rohingya would be living on the island in three months.

Some refugees in Bhasan Char have protested about the living conditions, and they welcomed UNHCR’s participation.

Mohammed Arman (a Rohingya refugee) told Reuters via telephone that he was confident that he would receive all the help he needs.

According to residents of camps on the island, they have been restricted from moving and are unable to work.

Numerous people lost their lives after the fishing boat, packed with Rohingya who tried to escape from the island’s sinking in August, was sunk.

Rohingyas have claimed that they were forced to move to Bhasan Char by their relatives. However, Bangladesh insists that relocation is voluntary. It cites the construction of flood defenses and housing for 100,000 persons as well as hospitals and other safety measures.