The fifth Joint Response Plan (JRP) 2022, launched on Tuesday seeks US$841 million to support approximately 1.4 million people, including over 918,000 Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, and around 540,000 Bangladeshis in neighbouring areas.
This year, for the first time, the JRP allocated $100 million for the Rohingya people in Bhasanchar.
The launching was jointly co-hosted by the Government of Bangladesh, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR.
Commenting on the JRP 2022, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam said the inclusion of Bhasanchar in the JRP is a significant development.
We are happy that confusion among our development partners on Bhasanchar is removed, said Mr Alam who was the main speaker at the launching event.
Last year $953 million was sought for the Rohingya but the amount of actual support was $645 million, 72 per cent of the requirement.
Responding to a question, the state minister 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 in the wake of fresh refugees crisis like 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, Mr 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.
Ms 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, Ms Farah Kabir, country director, ActionAid Bangladesh, Ms 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.
