UNHCR welcomes China’s support for Rohingya women in Bangladesh

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the China’s
US$1.5 million contribution to improve hygiene services of Rohingyas in
Bangladesh.

Over 60,000 Rohingya women and girls, between 12 and 50 years old, will
benefit from the support through China’s assistance body, the China
International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) until 2025, said an
UNHCR press release here today.

“This generous support from China comes at a crucial time, as we are into the
seventh year of the current Rohingya refugee crisis,” said Sumbul Rizvi,
UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh.

Forcefully displaced Rohingya women and girls have been receiving two hygiene
kits each year. The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) will partner with
the UNHCR to ensure over 250,000 kits under China’s grant support will reach
the Rohingya women.

“China assumes its responsibility as a major country and provides assistance
to help the displaced people improve living conditions. We look forward to
undertaking more initiatives with UNHCR in future. The long-term solution to
the crisis, however, lies in repatriation of the displaced people to
Myanmar,” said Yao Wen, ambassador of China to Bangladesh.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Chinese
government will collaborate to provide these kits. Chinese funding will
ensure the provision of some items, including bathing and laundry soaps as
well as buckets.

Over 200 women in Cox’s Bazar, from the refugee and Bangladeshi host
communities will work to produce the remaining items for the hygiene kits.

It allows them to put their skills to use for their community while also
gaining an opportunity for limited self-reliance and livelihoods to support
themselves.

“Refugee women we talk to have highlighted the value of such kits, which they
say are essential, and welcome the quality of the items produced by women
within their own community,” said Rizvi.

UNHCR continues to work closely with women and the authorities in Bangladesh
to improve living conditions while the offer of humanitarian assistance by
countries, including China, is greatly needed to support the Government of
Bangladesh in its humanitarian effort to respond to the Rohingya refugee
situation, the release added.

In 2023, humanitarian agencies have appealed for more than US$876 million to
support almost 1.5 million people, including 960,000 Rohingya refugees and
495,000 Bangladeshis in neighbouring communities.

By early December 2023, the Joint Response Plan was approximately 50 per cent
funded. (BSS)