Addressing Environmental Degradation in Cox's Bazar District

This project aims to contribute to environmental rehabilitation and long-term development of Cox’s Bazar District (CXB) through supporting an ecologically sustainable approach in host communities and Rohingya refugee camps. Project activities include: (1) securing access to cleaner energy by providing alternative cooking fuel through continued provision of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) instead of firewood to reduce deforestation in CXB; (2) contributing to environmental and ecosystem protection by restoring local forestland and watershed with a view to enhance climate resilience to landslides flooding and droughts; (3) developing and updating environmental and watershed management plans using participatory planning at territorial level; (4) providing technical support for a multi-sectoral joint monitoring platform for environmental and socio-ecological assessments; (5) promoting renewable energy technology in farming communities; and (6) training Rohingya women beneficiaries in resilience building through green skills development. The project targets meeting 14% of the LPG needs of up to 900 000 Rohingya refugees over its lifespan. As well up to 167 000 people in host and refugee communities are expected to indirectly benefit from the improved ecosystem and resource management in their surrounding environments.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) maintained provision of alternative clean cooking fuel and technology to all refugee households; (2) improved climate resilience and reduced negative environmental impacts through ecosystem restoration and improved management of natural resources benefitting refugee and host populations of Cox’s Bazar District; and (3) sustained resilience of Rohingya refugees especially the most vulnerable among them.