UNICEF is broadening life-saving interventions to support Rohingya refugee children, women, and vulnerable host populations in Cox's Bazar district and Bhasan Char Island with a generous funding contribution of $2.7 million from the government of Japan.
Through "The Project for Multiple Humanitarian Assistance for Displaced Persons from Myanmar in Cox's Bazar District and Bhasan Char", over 1,76,000 Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char camps, as well as individuals in host communities will receive assistance.
The project aims to deliver an integrated and multisectoral humanitarian response, providing access to education, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), health, and nutrition services to children and their families. It will also focus on fostering social and behavioural changes within the recipient communities.
"It is critical to ensure that Rohingya children are able to fully exercise their rights. Without education, refugee children have no hope for a better future. Further, lack of safe water and sanitation services exposes children to disease, putting their lives at risk and threatening their chance of survival," said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF representative to Bangladesh.
"We thank the government and the people of Japan for their generous contribution to the vulnerable Rohingya community in Bangladesh. With this invaluable contribution, we will be able to scale up our interventions, save lives, and give Rohingya children and their families a lifeline," added Yett.
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori expressed his hope that the support from the Government of Japan would improve the living conditions of both Rohingya and host communities.
"I am concerned that, as the Rohingya crisis has been prolonged, the situation of the children is becoming even more difficult," he said.
The Ambassador said Japan will continue to work towards durable solutions including early repatriation to Myanmar, while cooperating with international organizations including UNICEF for better living conditions for refugees and host communities.
"I hope the funding from Japan will contribute to easing the challenges faced by the Rohingya refugees and host communities, especially children," he said.
Since the beginning of the Rohingya crisis in August 2017, Japan has been a steadfast supporter of the refugee response in Bangladesh, contributing over $43.65 million including the new funding to UNICEF programmes and helped improve the lives of thousands affected.
