The Japanese government and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have signed an agreement to provide about US$10 million to support the improvement of water supply for Bangladeshi host communities and Rohingya communities in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar.
The agreement was signed by the Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh ITO Naoki and the UNHCR Bangladesh Assistant Representative KASHIWA Fumiko at the UNHCR Country Office in Dhaka yesterday, said a press release today.
Teknaf upazila has been facing challenges in ensuring safe access to water for the local population for many years. The situation became even more challenging following the influx of Rohingya forced to flee from Myanmar in recent years. This contribution will help stabilise the water supply, and to improve the living conditions of both communities.
The project will be implemented over the course of three years and carried out in close collaboration and under the guidance and leadership of the Bangladesh government, including the Economic Relations Division (ERD), the Department of Public Health and Engineering (DPHE), the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MODMR) as well as the Deputy Commissioner (DC) in Cox’s Bazar, added the press release.
Since the influx of refugees into Bangladesh began in August 2017, the Japan government has granted approximately US$ 140 million to international organisations and NGOs to assist both Rohingyas, as well as the host communities.
(BSS)
