Australia's foreign minister has told Myanmar to allow Rohingya refugees freedom of movement and access to education.
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Senator Marise Payne this week visited the Asian nation and also raised the importance of allowing United Nations relief efforts to keep operating.
The UN estimates more than 1.8 million people in Myanmar and Bangladesh require humanitarian assistance, including more than 1.4 million Rohingya.
"I raised the importance of allowing UN agencies ongoing access to affected areas and the important need to allow displaced people freedom of movement and access to full education, health and employment," Senator Payne said on Friday.
Senator Payne visited Baw Du Pha camp, which holds 129,000 Rohingya, one of 23 such camps in central Rakhine state.
"Australia is providing life-saving food, water and shelter, and health care services to the camps," she said.
"It is also supporting children to continue their education and helping to keep women and girls safe from violence and trafficking."
Senator Payne also met with local media representatives and discussed jailed Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo.
Save The Children's Michael McGrath said Senator Payne's visit to central Rakhine State will have helped her understand why Rohingya refugees aren't willing to return.
"Rohingya, driven from their homes six years ago by violence stirred up by anti-Rohingya activists, live behind barbed wire and guarded by police and soldiers, unable to leave, unable to earn a living, with very limited access to health, education and any other services," he said.
Mr McGrath called on Australia to step up diplomatic efforts to solve the crisis, and offer permanent refugee places in Australia.
Australian Associated Press
