Japan, IOM sign $2.7m support to Rohingyas, host communities

Jaman and IOM signed an agreement for 2.7 million dollars assistance to Rohingya refugees on Monday.

Dhaka, Feb 26 - The government of Japan has decided to provide the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with USD 2.7 million assistance to the Rohingyas and host communities in Cox’s Bazar.

The assistance will be given for the implementation of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), disaster risk reduction, shelter upgrade, site management and site development and protection for the Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar district.

An exchange of notes was signed by Iwama Kiminori, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, and Abdusattor Esoev, Chief of Mission, IOM Bangladesh on Monday.

The project will reach approximately 500,000 Rohingya refugees and people of host communities in Cox’s Bazar district in total, implementing a comprehensive plan to improve the living conditions among the Rohingya and host population in Cox’s Bazar, in the sector of WASH, disaster risk reduction, Shelter/Non-food Items, site management and protection.

Ambassador Iwama hoped that the support from the government of Japan would improve the living conditions of both Rohingya and host communities.

“I’m hopeful for this comprehensive plan to improve the living conditions for Rohingya refugees and host communities. These five sectors are fundamental to improving the protection, quality of life, and resilience of both Rohingya refugees and host communities, and this project will reach many people in the camps as well as host communities," said the Ambassador.

Japan will continue to work towards sustainable solutions including the support of the repatriation of refugees to Myanmar and will cooperate with international organizations such as IOM, said Ambassador Iwama.

Japan has been a very important partner for IOM in the Rohingya Response, helping to address the significant challenges that both the Rohingya refugees and the host communities face in Cox’s Bazar, and their priority needs, said Chief of Mission of IOM Bangladesh.

"Reduced humanitarian funding for the Rohingya refugees is becoming a significant challenge, and we sincerely appreciate that the people and Government of Japan have continuously supported IOM's interventions in the response since 2017. We hope that the strong partnership between IOM and the Government of Japan continues for years to come,” said Abdusattor Esoev.

Since the beginning of the emergency in August 2017, Japan has been a steady supporter of the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh, contributing over USD $220 million to IOM and other UN agencies as well as NGOs in Bangladesh, including through this new funding. - UNB