Bangladesh - Humanitarian Response to Rohingya Refugee Crisis - Doctors of the World 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 Doctors of the World Canada 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 primary healthcare consultations as well as sexual and reproductive health services; (2) medical management and appropriate referrals for survivors of gender-based violence; (3) providing mental health and psychosocial support; and (4) gender-sensitive awareness-raising through sessions on health education gender-based violence and mental health in conflict-affected communities.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access of crisis-affected populations in Cox’s Bazar to primary healthcare services; (2) increased access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services with a particular focus on gender-based violence; and (3) increased access to mental health and psycho-social support. 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.