Rohingya arrival drops to 100 per day


FE Team | Published: December 19, 2017 20:51:30 | Updated: December 20, 2017 11:43:31


Rohingya arrival drops to 100 per day

The UN refugee agency has estimated that average arrival rate of Rohingyas has dropped to 100 per day so far this month (December). 

The average rate of arrival of Rohingya people was 745 in November.

"As the refugee emergency in Bangladesh enters its fourth month, people are continuing to arrive from Myanmar. However, the pace of the influx has now slowed," said UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic at press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday.

Two-thirds of the new arrivals in the last week said they came from Buthidaung in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state, reports UNB.

Meanwhile a quick refugee assessment by UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and 13 international and local partners in Bangladesh has found that the refugees have developed strong support networks.

Refugee women, men, boys, girls, elderly and persons with disabilities in Kutupalong, Nayapara and Kerontoli/Chakmarkul refugee sites were interviewed to identify the priority concerns and needs, and to find out about coping mechanisms and consider possible solutions.

The findings of the assessment will guide 2018 interventions and help improve conditions, said the Spokesperson.

Refugees surveyed expressed a number of worries. These included feeling unsafe at night given weak shelters and a lack of lighting, and concerns about general safety.

Mahecic said access to sanitation is still insufficient, leading sometimes to long queues for latrines. "Women and girls are anxious about the shortage of private bathing spaces, forcing some to wash outside their shelters in the early morning hours."

The survey also found that some children have to walk longer distances to fetch water and bring firewood.

Parents and children want access to education and more safe places for children to play, according to briefing text UNB obtained from Geneva.

The Spokesperson said health services are a wide concern and increased mental health support for those who have witnessed the killings or suffered torture or rape remains crucially needed.

"Refugees cite continued feelings of depression and rejection, especially among the elderly and disabled. Many young people are worried about their uncertain future," Mahecic said.

Some refugees said that irregular food distributions and long queues had meant going hungry for days.

Despite all these concerns and hardships, the assessment found strong solidarity and mutual support between refugees, Mahecic said.

Drawing upon the findings of this latest assessment, UNHCR said it will further refine and reinforce its protection and assistance.

The main priorities will include establishing more information points, orientation to existing services and strengthening an outreach programme.

"We are also providing alternatives to firewood to address child labour and environmental concerns," Mahecic said adding that efforts are also underway to provide better hygiene and more sanitary material to women and girls, improve access to latrines, upgrade shelter kits, install more communal lights, offer training and establish more child-friendly spaces.

The UNHCR official said there is also a need to strengthen primary health care facilities, increase mental health and psychosocial activities as well as sensitization on and responses to sexual and gender-based violence.

"UNHCR continues to work with partners to further strengthen these interventions," Mahecic said.

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