Visiting World Bank (WB) Vice President for South Asia Region Hartwig Schafer on Thursday said that the world needs to provide sustained support to Bangladesh to meet the urgent needs of the Rohingya people as well as the host community in Cox’s Bazar.
Schafer also praised the government and the people of Bangladesh for their generous efforts that saved thousands of lives as the Rohingya fled violence in Myanmar.
The WB Vice President said, “Despite its own challenges, Bangladesh shelters nearly one million Rohingya, mostly women and children. Bangladesh has also ably coordinated humanitarian support and provided for basic needs. This helps prevent major disease outbreaks and natural disasters in the congested camps.”
“But the need is much larger. The World Bank has mobilized close to half a billion US dollar financing on grant terms to help Bangladesh deal with the crisis. The global community cannot afford to become distracted from this crisis and needs to provide more support,” Hartwig Schafer was quoted in a statement sent from WB Dhaka office as saying.
The WB Vice President made this call after visiting the Rohingya camps in the Cox’s Bazar district, including the Kutupalong refugee camp. He concluded a weeklong visit to Bangladesh.
He said Kutupalong refugee camp for Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar is the world’s largest and most congested refugee camp.
Walking through the Kutupalong and Nayapara camps, Schafer met Rohingya women, men and children and visited centers for transit, health and learning. He also met local administration, NGOs and development partners.
The WB approved the first two operations of a series that totaled $75 million in grants, including $13 million in grants from Canada. These include a $50 million grant to help the Rohingya, especially women and children, receive much-needed health services, and a $25 million grant to help Rohingya children access learning opportunities until their safe return to Myanmar. Through existing projects, the WB is helping the local population.
