Staff Reporter :
The UN agencies and NGO partners on Tuesday launched the 2022 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, seeking to raise US$ 881 million to respond to the needs of approximately 1.4 million people, including over 918,000 Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, and around 540,000 vulnerable Bangladeshis in neighbouring areas.
The 2022 JRP was virtually launched in Geneva on Tuesday, jointly co-hosted by the Government of Bangladesh, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR.
This year, the JRP allocated $100 million for the Rohingya people in Bhasan Char.
Last year $953 million was sought for the Rohingya refugees but the amount of actual support was $645 million, 72 per cent of the requirement.
Speaking at the JRP 2022 launching event, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam said the inclusion of Bhasan Char in the JRP is a significant development. “It indicates that the confusion among our development partners on Bhasan Char is removed,” he added.
Alam said UN bodies and other humanitarian agencies highlighted the need for keeping the Rohingya issue in focus so that funding for the misplaced community will not be affected due to the ongoing refugee crisis began in Europe in late February 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He also informed that last week the Myanmar government has renewed its agreement with the UN on allowing them to provide support to the Rohingya in Myanmar.
Terming it as a positive development, Alam said repatriation of Rohingya is the first priority for Bangladesh.
He also said that another 4,000 Rohingya will be shifted to Bhasanchar soon.
Dominique Hyde, director, Division of External Relations, UNHCR, Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, António Vitorino, director general, International Organization for Migration, Dr Eiko Narita, country representative, UNFPA Bangladesh, Farah Kabir, country director, ActionAid Bangladesh, Urbi Chakma, centre manager, NGO Forum for Public Health Refugee voices (video) took part in the launching event held virtually.
Under the leadership of the Bangladeshi authorities, the JRP’s response for 2022 brings together the activities of 136 partners, of which 74 are Bangladeshi organisations. It also recognises the significant contributions of the refugees themselves to the response, said the UNHCR.
UNHCR and partners are emphasising the need to ensure that the Rohingya situation does not become a forgotten crisis. It is therefore vital to ensure continued funding and support to meet the needs of refugees and surrounding host communities.
Given their location and geography, the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar are especially vulnerable to natural disasters.
This year’s JRP accordingly highlights the need for enhanced efforts towards disaster risk management and climate change mitigation, including through reforestation and energy interventions, the UNHCR said in its JRP statement.
UNHCR made it clear that the solutions to this humanitarian situation ultimately lie within Myanmar. UNHCR and partners continue to maintain a presence in Rakhine State to support Myanmar to create the conditions that would be conducive for such returns.
The steadfast support from the international community has been and will be, crucial in delivering lifesaving protection and assistance services for Rohingya refugees, until they are able to return voluntarily, safely, and with dignity.
“While they are in Bangladesh, it is important that Rohingya refugees are able to live safe and dignified lives, and they can develop the skills and capacities that could support their sustainable return in the future”.
For the first time, the JRP also includes humanitarian activities on Bhasan Char, where over 24,000 Rohingya refugees have been relocated to date by Bangladesh. It is critical to continue to scale up essential humanitarian services on the island, including in the areas of health, protection, nutrition, education, livelihood and skills building.
