Officials of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Tuesday sought greater efforts from the global community for safety of displaced Rohingya people living in Bhashan Char.
The IFRC is appealing for 86 million Swiss Francs to provide critical immediate and longer-term humanitarian support for the nearly one million displaced people living in the camps in Cox’s Bazar and those on Bhashan Char Island, they said in a press statement issued on Tuesday.
The Swiss Francs will be used for safer shelter, healthcare, improved access to clean water, sanitation and protecting people from the growing risks of climate disasters, they added.
Feroz Salah Uddin, Secretary General of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society said “Every effort is being made on Bhashan Char Island to improve living conditions and support Rohingya people to be well prepared to take early lifesaving action ahead of any super cyclones.”
Volunteer teams have been trained in early warning action drills, first aid, search and rescue, and managing cyclone shelters, he said.
“Our teams have been helping with Covid-19 vaccinations for older people most at risk of the disease while helping everyone to stay safe and healthy with clean water, food relief packs, hygiene kits, and access to healthcare.”, he added.
In recent weeks, Bangladesh Red Crescent volunteers have helped vaccinate more than 1,000 people aged over 55, and more vaccinations are planned as soon as vaccines become available.
Alexander Matheou, Asia Pacific Director, international Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said “Everyone living on Bhashan Char Island needs to feel safe and every effort needs to be made to enable Bangladesh to have a fair share of Covid-19 vaccines.”
