The Government of Japan provided Emergency Grant Aid of US$2 million to support the displaced Rohingya people where an estimated 74,000 people crossed the border from Burma and living in Bangladesh since October 2016, according UN website.
To extend humanitarian support to the recent influx of people from Myanmar in Cox’s Bazar, the Emergency Grant Aid of US$2 million through International Organization for Migration (IOM – US$1 million), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR – US$0.5 million) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF – US$0.5 million). The grant is aimed at strengthening the ongoing UN humanitarian and Government of Bangladesh’s support to the displaced persons (DP), the website more stated.
UNICEF will provide access to Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health (MNCAH) services for 61,822 under-5 children, 58,229 women aged 15-49 years and 2,000 adolescents living in host communities and makeshift settlements. This includes health facility readiness, new born and antenatal care interventions, age specific health information, education and services at the adolescent clubs, immunization, HIV etc. UNICEF will also provide 45,300 people with access to improved WASH – access to water, sanitation and hygiene – services by constructing and rehabilitating water points and latrines, promoting hygiene and hand washing devices and practices, and climate resilient WASH services, said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Bangladesh Representative.
“With the increasing influx of displaced persons -DPs – in the host communities and the makeshift settlements, the services and resources are falling short, children bearing the biggest brunt”, said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Bangladesh Representative. “We want all children from all communities to get basic education services and be protected from abuse, violence and exploitation. This grant will help us to complement education and protection services with health and wash emergency interventions for all children. This will prepare the children for a healthier life indispensable to their development and well-being.”
Collaborating with the Government of Bangladesh, UNHCR will distribute non-food items among 2600 families seeking protection in the Kutupalong and Nayapara registered refugee camps which will be essential to help them survive during the upcoming rainy season.
Mr. Shinji Kubo, Representative, UNHCR-Bangladesh expressed his gratitude towards the Government of Japan for their timely emergency humanitarian response that plays an essential role in UNHCR’s life-saving endeavours. He further affirmed UNHCR’s commitment to continue its protection activities to be implemented with this Emergency Grant Aid.
With fund from the Government of Japan, IOM will ensure emergency needs of the recently arrived DPs and the existing caseload living in the makeshift settlements and host villages in Cox’s Bazar. IOM will provide shelter for the homeless DPs, provide them non-food items (cooking sets, clothes, bedding and mosquito nets) and access to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). IOM aims to reducing the community’s vulnerability to possible gender based violence through awareness campaigns, focus group discussions, workshops and trainings on recognizing and addressing protection risks. More than 130,000 individuals will benefit from this funding.
“This funding will help IOM to scale up the much-needed mental health interventions in the area with a specific focus on psychosocial support for women and children,” said Mr. Sarat Dash, the Chief of Mission of IOM Bangladesh acknowledging the support of the Government of Japan. “This partnership is crucial for us as it particularly supporting the changing needs of humanitarian assistance and protection in Cox’s Bazar,” he added.
