ReliefWeb

Highlights

• UNICEF has finalized its monsoon preparedness/operational plan to mitigate the risk of floods and landslides, and to respond during the monsoon with a budget of US$10million.

• A Diarrhoea Treatment Centre (DTC) is now operational in Leda, Teknaf Upazila treating up to 20 cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) per day from both host and refugee communities. Four more DTCs will be operational in the next few weeks.

• Nutrition programme has significantly reduced defaulter rate as reflected in the March report indicating 98.3 per cent children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) continued treatment. At least 600 community influencers received awareness training to support nutrition outreach activities and strengthen community referral systems.

• So far UNICEF, through partners, has reached almost 90,000 children (aged 3-14) in the camps with non-formal education through 866 learning centres, and has trained 2,203 teachers on early learning and non-formal education.

• The Department of Social Services (DSS), through the deployed Social Workers is undertaking a re-verification exercise where a pre-identified group will be targeted for the provision of cash assistance.

• UNICEF is 47 per cent funded against its 2018 appeal with the generous support of its donors. An additional US$76.9 million is required to fully deliver on the Rohingya response.

SITUATION IN NUMBERS

703,000
Children in need of humanitarian assistance
(JRP March to December 2018)

1.3 million
People in need - including refugees and host community
(JRP March to December 2018)

398,460
Children (arrived since 25 August 2017) in need of humanitarian assistance
(Based on ISCG SitRep 12 April 2018)

687,000
New arrivals since 25 August
(ISCG SitRep, as of 12 April 2018)

Situation Overview and Humanitarian Needs

Existing basic services for refugees and host communities have been overwhelmed due to the massive increase in population. Over 16 million litres of clean water are required daily and 50,000 latrines are needed or maintained. Unsanitary and congested camp conditions are increasing the risk of deadly and communicable disease outbreaks as vaccination coverage among the refugees has been low prior to their arrival in Bangladesh. Both refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar are also susceptible to environmental hazards associated with the upcoming cyclone and monsoon seasons from April to November which will also affect around 60 per cent of other areas in Bangladesh, having devastating impact on people’s lives, livelihoods and property. Risks of cholera or acute watery diarrhoea outbreak will remain high during the monsoon season. Urgent nutrition needs have been prioritized, as severe acute malnutrition (SAM) rates have been high amongst small children. An estimated 400,000 children need protection and education services, many requiring psychosocial support. The Joint Response Plan (JRP) for March to December 2018 was launched on 16 March, appealing for US$950.8 million, including US$113 million for UNICEF. UNICEF’s 2018 revised Humanitarian Action for Children will include the key components of the JRP as well as expanded support to the Bangladeshi community in Cox’s Bazar district.