ASIA: IRIN-ASIA Weekly Round-up 269 for 21 - 27 February 2010

	humanitarian news and analysis UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Table of contents 1. BANGLADESH: Rohingya waiter Solim Ullah, "I live in fear every day" 2. AFGHANISTAN: Sharp rise in Marjah displaced prompts concern 3. PAKISTAN: Struggle to rescue avalanche victims in northwest 4. SRI LANKA: Re-opening schools a priority as thousands return to class 5. MYANMAR: Tentative steps towards Rohingya rehabilitation 6. BANGLADESH: Islamic Relief to withdraw from makeshift refugee camp 7. ASIA: Pesticides pose health risks 8. MYANMAR: Renewed bid to fight forced labour 9. PHILIPPINES: Overcrowding fuels TB in prisons 10. THAILAND: Migrant registration plan raises mass deportation fears BANGLADESH: Rohingya waiter Solim Ullah, "I live in fear every day" COX?S BAZAR, 22 February 2010 (IRIN) - Born and raised in Bangladesh, 17-year-old Solim Ullah* is a documented Rohingya refugee. He has a job as a waiter at a restaurant in Cox?s Bazar, southern Bangladesh?s most popular beach resort, but following a recent crackdown fears arrest. full report AFGHANISTAN: Sharp rise in Marjah displaced prompts concern KABUL, 22 February 2010 (IRIN) - The number of those displaced by a major anti-Taliban military operation in Nad Ali District, Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, has more than doubled over the past four days, according to the provincial authorities. full report PAKISTAN: Struggle to rescue avalanche victims in northwest MANSEHRA, 22 February 2010 (IRIN) - Bad weather is hampering rescue and relief efforts in a remote part of Kohistan District in Pakistan?s North West Frontier Province (NWFP) after avalanches on 16 February left dozens dead and scores injured. full report SRI LANKA: Re-opening schools a priority as thousands return to class JAFFNA, 24 February 2010 (IRIN) - Thousands of children have returned to school in northern Sri Lanka, where efforts are under way to restore the area?s battered education infrastructure. The Government of Sri Lanka aims to have all children from the five districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu back in school by the end of April. full report MYANMAR: Tentative steps towards Rohingya rehabilitation YANGON, 24 February 2010 (IRIN) - UN agencies and NGOs are working to address the urgent humanitarian needs of the Rohingya in Myanmar, even as the government considers changes to their status, the UN says. full report BANGLADESH: Islamic Relief to withdraw from makeshift refugee camp DHAKA, 25 February 2010 (IRIN) - UK-based charity Islamic Relief will withdraw on 28 February from a makeshift camp for Rohingya refugees in southern Bangladesh due to a lack of government support. full report ASIA: Pesticides pose health risks NUSA DUA, 25 February 2010 (IRIN) - The use of pesticides in Asian countries has exposed communities across the region to unacceptably high health risks, according to a study conducted by the international Pesticide Action Network full report MYANMAR: Renewed bid to fight forced labour YANGON, 26 February 2010 (IRIN) - The government of Myanmar and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have for the third time renewed an agreement aimed at tackling forced labour. full report PHILIPPINES: Overcrowding fuels TB in prisons MANILA, 26 February 2010 (IRIN) - Humanitarian agencies and rights groups are concerned about overcrowding in Philippine prisons, where tuberculosis (TB) is now taking a toll. full report THAILAND: Migrant registration plan raises mass deportation fears BANGKOK, 26 February 2010 (IRIN) - Thousands of migrant workers from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar face possible deportation from Thailand unless they register their nationality this weekend. full report

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

Services: Africa | Asia | Middle East | PlusNews | Film & TV | Photo | Radio | Live news map | Interviews | Free subscription Feedback | IRIN Terms & Conditions | News Feeds | About IRIN | Jobs | Donors Copyright © IRIN 2010. All rights reserved. This material comes to you via IRIN, the humanitarian news and analysis service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the United Nations or its Member States. The boundaries, names and designations used on maps on this site do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the UN. Republication is subject to terms and conditions as set out in the IRIN copyright page.