Bangladesh - Humanitarian Response to the Rohingya Refugee Crisis - BRAC 2019

January 2019 – Following the outbreak of violence in Northern Rakhine State in August 2017 more than 735 000 Rohingya crossed from Myanmar into Bangladesh over a period of several months.These refugees joined some 200 000 to 300 000 Rohingya already in Bangladesh following earlier waves of displacement. The speed and scale of the influx has resulted in significant humanitarian needs With GAC’s support BRAC is helping to respond to the immediate health needs in Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh. Project activities include: (1) upgrading and improving the health facility structures to ensure a safe space for quality health care services; (2) providing essential primary health care services as per minimum standards including sexual and reproductive health and mental health; and (3) improving Rohingya refugees’ knowledge and access to healthcare through increased engagement in the community.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased availability of and equitable access to essential quality lifesaving primary healthcare services by implementing the essential service packages aligned with the agreed minimum humanitarian standards; (2) increased availability and accessibility of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and mental health services; and (3) enhanced health status through improved health seeking behavior of the community. The expected ultimate outcome is reduced suffering increased and maintained human dignity and lives saved for Rohingya refugees in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.