News Desk :
Government of the Korea Republic has decided to provide emergency support of $ 1 million to the International Organization of Migration (IOM) in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. These funds will contribute to the massive humanitarian efforts required to respond to the devastating fire that broke out on March 22 in several Rohingya refugee camps.
IOM is implementing its emergency response in affected camps in close collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh, the Inter-Sector Coordination Group (ISCG), other UN agencies, INGOs and NGOs. Moving forward, IOM’s response is focused on both critical life-saving interventions as well as long-term recovery efforts.
Through its interventions, IOM aims to provide safe and dignified living conditions for those affected by usinga participatory site planning approach and environmentally conscious and sustainable construction.IOM will also focuson the rehabilitation and construction of vital water points, latrines and shower areas, whichwill ensure that the most basic human rights of the affected population are respected.
The construction of shelters will employ a community-led approach, which will include the participation of affected families and Cash-for-Work activities related to distributions, porter support and construction works.
New liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders will be provided to replace those that were destroyed in the fire as well as refills for all the affected families. LPG enables families to be self-reliant and cook for themselves according to their likes and needs.
Participatory needs assessments will be conducted in the three affected camps to identify vulnerabilities, risks and potential self-reliance activities for all, particularly for women and girls. Given the fact that most of the refugees’ possessions perished in the fire, IOM will replace their assets according to an ongoing Vulnerability Analysis Mapping.
Thanks to the funds received, IOM will be able to continue the provision of essential health services in the affected camps through its health post as well as multiple Mobile Medical Teams. To help the affected population cope with these new challenges, additional mental health and psychosocial support staff will be deployed and multiple psychosocial group activities will be organized across targeted camps.
“We are extremely grateful for the support received today from the Government of the Republic of Korea,” declared IOM’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Bangladesh Manuel Marques Pereira. “This assistance will be vital for our efforts to rebuild these camps from the ground up and to ensure that those most vulnerable have access to crucial services.”
Since the latest influx of Rohingya refugees in 2017, the Republic of Korea has been providing continuous support to humanitarian organizations to respond to this colossal international humanitarian crisis as well as to support host communities. IOM thanks the Government of the Republic of Korea for this new generous contribution.
