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Bangladesh: Needs and Population Monitoring - Undocumented Myanmar Nationals in Teknaf and Ukhia, Cox’s Bazar, April 2017 Round 2

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Background

The National Strategy on Myanmar Refugees and Undocumented Myanmar Nationals (UMN) formulated by the Government of Bangladesh highlights the fact that more than 300,000 Rohingyas have crossed the border and are living in Bangladesh. Following an outbreak of violence on 9 October 2016 in the Rakhine State of Myanmar, reportedly more than 74,000 UMNs fled to Bangladesh from Rakhine State. The influx slowed down in late February 2017. The majority of UMN are living in the Ukhia and Teknaf Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar District, a district bordering Myanmar identified as the main entry area for border crossing.

Key Figures

62
Sites Assessed

30,000
Households

74,000
New Arrivals since Oct 2016

150,000
Individuals

103,000 or 69% assessed individuals live in three makeshift settlements Individuals

A total of 62 sites were assessed. 150,000 UMNs were identified in 2 upazilas of Cox’s Bazar district. An additional 500 households were reported to be residing in host communities that were not assessed due to limited access. Significant number of UMNs were reported to be residing in Chittagong Hill Tracts and Cox’s Bazar Sadar, which should be taken into consideration when estimating the total UMN population in the district and surrounds. Among those assessed, 79% are women and children.

Methodology

Needs and Population Monitoring (NPM) is designed to regularly and systematically capture, monitor and disseminate information to provide a better understanding of the movements and evolving needs of populations on the move, whether on site or en route. The NPM tools operate at two levels (baseline and site assessments) and capture baseline information, population movement dynamics and community level needs by sector. Currently NPM is only conducted in two upazilas, and the population assessed does not represent the overall Rohingya population.

The unit of the assessment is site, which refers to a makeshift settlement, camp-like setting or a village where UMNs are residing. The sites are identified through secondary data, key informants and field visits. The baseline site assessment (first round) was conducted from 21 to 28 March and identified 44 sites. The affected UMNs are either living in makeshift settlements (MS) or within host communities. The second round of site assessment was conducted from 17 April to 2 May, and an additional 18 sites were identified within host communities. The assessment adopts both quantitative and qualitative approaches through key informant interviews, focus group discussions and direct observation.