Bangladesh - Humanitarian Response to the Rohingya Crisis - BRAC 2021

March 2021 – 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 an estimated 855 000 Rohingya refugees live in 34 highly congested settlements in Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh. The speed and scale of the influx resulted in significant humanitarian needs. With GAC’s support BRAC provides essential primary healthcare services to Rohingya refugees focusing on increasing health-seeking behaviour and improving care for women. Project activities include: (1) upgrading and equipping healthcare facilities; (2) providing outpatient care such as medical consultations immunizations for children and medication; (3) offering sexual and reproductive health services medical support and referrals for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS); (4) training health service providers in sexual and reproductive health and rights SGBV MHPSS and adolescent health; and (5) providing training to community health volunteers doing outreach in the refugee camps.

The expected outcome for this project is improved health status of Rohingya refugees especially vulnerable groups such as women children survivors of sexual and gender-based violence elderly persons and persons with disabilities. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in communities experiencing humanitarian crises or that are food insecure.