Bangladesh - Humanitarian Response to the Rohingya Refugee Crisis - Development and Peace 2018

January 2018 – Following the outbreak of violence in Northern Rakhine State in August 2017 more than 647 000 Rohingya crossed from Myanmar into Bangladesh over a period of several months. These refugees joined more than 200 000 Rohingya already in the district of Cox's Bazar following earlier waves of displacement. With GAC’s support Development and Peace is helping to respond to the immediate needs of refugees in Cox’s Bazar including the specific needs of women and girls. Activities include: (1) providing shelter support according to Sphere Standards (Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response) and considering the specific needs of beneficiaries particularly women and girls; (2) providing essential non-food items for vulnerable households; (3) providing hygiene kits with items that meet the specific needs of women and girls; (4) improving access to safe drinking water; and (5) provision of child-friendly spaces.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to gender sensitive emergency shelters and non-food items according to identified needs for the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh; (2) increased use of gender sensitive sanitation facilities that conform to cultural norms; and (3) increased protection for Rohingya girls and boys through the provision of safe spaces. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or that are facing acute food insecurity.