Dhaka: The Government of Japan has allocated $3.2 million to support WHO’s efforts aimed at reducing morbidity and preventable mortality among the Rohingya refugees and host community in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. An Exchange of Notes was signed by SAIDA Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, and Dr. Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Bangladesh, as stated in a WHO press release today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis has persisted for eight years and remains one of the world’s largest protracted crises. Rohingya refugees face significant vulnerability due to their reliance on humanitarian health services and increased exposure to natural hazards and epidemic-prone diseases, including cholera, hepatitis, and dengue. Notably, half of the refugees are under 18 years old, and 51 percent are female, highlighting their susceptibility to the challenging living conditions within the camps.
Aligned with the Joint Response Plan, the WHO-Japan joint project aims to enhance health capacity in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char Island. This initiative is crucial in addressing gaps to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services for both Rohingya refugees and host communities, while promoting health and well-being at individual and community levels.
Furthermore, the project will bolster and sustain the WHO-led Health Sector’s capacity for preparedness, public health surveillance, and response to epidemic-prone diseases, thereby improving health outcomes in these vulnerable communities.