UN Agencies Launch Rohingya Refugee Response Projects in Bangladesh

Strategic Insights -

Six UN agencies have initiated Rohingya refugee response projects in camps in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char, following a $9 million allocation from the United Nation's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in January 2023. The projects aim to provide life-saving services, including Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders, food assistance, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, and protection to over 943,000 Rohingya refugees and 17,800 members of the host community. The initiatives also focus on supporting vulnerable groups, such as women, girls, and people with disabilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The six UN agencies involved in the Rohingya refugee response projects are the UN Migration Agency (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Women, and the World Food Programme (WFP).
  • The projects aim to support refugees in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char with LPG cylinders, food assistance, WASH services, and protection.
  • As of Monday, a total of 856,851 refugees have started receiving Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders.
  • UNFPA received $250,000 to support Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) integration interventions in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char.
  • UNICEF and partners are implementing an integrated approach to address child protection and GBV concerns in Bhasan Char.
  • UN Women is enhancing access to lifesaving GBV services and support among survivors and those at risk in the Rohingya refugee camps.
  • WFP is providing food and nutrition assistance to refugees through food vouchers, but has reduced the voucher value from $12 to $10 per person per month due to funding shortages.

Statistics:

  • $9 million allocated from CERF for Rohingya refugee response projects in January 2023.
  • Over 943,000 Rohingya refugees and 17,800 members of the host community to be supported by the projects.
  • 856,851 refugees receiving Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders as of Monday.
  • $250,000 allocated to UNFPA for SRH and GBV integration interventions in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char.
  • 48,000 Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char to receive WASH services from UNICEF.

Sources:

  • The United News of Bangladesh.
  • United Nations agencies mentioned in the text (IOM, UNHCR, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, and WFP).
  • CERF (United Nation's Central Emergency Response Fund).