UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has signed an agreement with the Government of Japan for a generous donation of $4.4 million to improve access to healthcare for Rohingya refugees and their Bangladeshi host communities in Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh.
“It is our great pleasure to provide assistance to this project, and we strongly hope it will improve the healthcare and medical situations of both refugees and host communities,” Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Naoki Ito said.
During his last visit to the camps in Cox’s Bazar back in October, the Ambassador said he saw the dedicated and professional work of UNHCR and the other agencies amid the difficult situations, said a press release.
“The significant contribution from the government of Japan will allow UNHCR to continue providing vital access to healthcare for some 265,000 refugee and host community members, following what has been a uniquely challenging 18 months, as Covid-19 increased health needs for both refugees and Bangladeshis,” said Johannes Van Der Klaauw, the UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh.
The pandemic has compounded existing health needs in the extremely congested camps, with limited water and sanitation services, and saturated health facilities.
The three-year project will support the construction of new in-patient facilities in Ukhiya Specialized Hospital to facilitate access to specialized care, same-day surgeries and other services scarcely available in the District, including assistance to mental health and psychosocial support.
It will also support the renovation and maintenance of 39 healthcare and nutrition facilities in the Rohingya refugee camps and allow for the provision of critical medical supplies, equipment and medicines to both refugees and Bangladeshis.
The project will be implemented in close collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh, including the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Office of Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
