Bangladesh - Humanitarian Response to the Rohingya Crisis - BRAC 2020

March 2020 – Following the outbreak of violence in Northern Rakhine State in August 2017 more than 700 000 Rohingya people crossed from Myanmar into Bangladesh over a period of several months. Currently there are approximately 855 000 Rohingya refugees living in 34 highly congested settlements in Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh. The speed and scale of the influx has resulted in significant humanitarian needs. With GAC’s support BRAC is providing safe and equitable access to drinking water and sanitation facilities as well as enhancing knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and protection issues for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar. Project activities include: (1) operating and maintaining water networks; (2) upgrading latrines and bathing facilities to improve safety particularly for women and girls; (3) delivering an integrated hygiene promotion program; (4) running awareness-raising campaigns on sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender-based violence prevention; and (5) facilitating leadership programs for adolescents and youth.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to safe drinking water socially inclusive sanitation facilities and hygiene promotion programs; (2) increased participation in leadership and decision-making for women girls men and boys; and (3) enhanced knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights as well as gender-based violence prevention and mitigation. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in communities experiencing humanitarian crises or that are food insecure.