ReliefWeb

Highlights

• On the 27th of September the Health Minister inaugurated the extension of Cox’s Bazar District Hospital Special Care New-born Unit (SCANU) supported by UNICEF. The unit expanded from 24 to 65 beds. In 2018, a total of 2,258 sick new-born were treated in the three UNICEF-supported facilities in host communities.

• On 16th September, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV infection (PMTCT) services supported by UNICEF was initiated in Cox’s Bazar District Hospital. By end of September, 352 pregnant women received HIV counselling and testing.

• UNICEF has built so far 1,077 Learning Centres (LCs), 224 are under construction and 118 contracted.

• An additional 1,581 foster families have been verified by the Social Workers of the Department of Social Services (DSS) to receive cash assistance. In total, 3,000 families to date benefit from UNICEF’s cash assistance.

• The Bangladesh 2018 HAC appeal is 74 per cent funded with the generous support of its donors. However, an additional US$38.8 million is required to fully deliver UNICEF’s response to meet Rohingya and host community needs.

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)

392,580 Children (arrived since 25 August 2017) in need of humanitarian assistance (Based on ISCG SitRep 5 September 2018)

727,000 New arrivals since 25 August (ISCG SitRep, as of 27 September 2018)

Situation Overview and Humanitarian Needs

The transition from monsoon to cyclone season is slowly taking place. The cyclone period is expected to continue until November and may significantly impact on many parts of the country. Rohingya refugees living in temporary bamboo frame and tarpaulin shelters will be highly vulnerable to any strong winds. The post monsoon season may see a spike in cholera cases in Bangladesh and the risk of outbreaks of cholera or acute watery diarrhoea outbreak remains high. Mid-term review of the Joint Response Plan (JRPis on-doing and expected to be completed by mid-October. Based on the mid-term review and consultation with the Government, a plan for 2019 will be finalised by the end of 2018. UNICEF’s 2018 revised Humanitarian Action for Children includes the key components of the current JRP, an emphasis on expanding support to the Bangladeshi community in Cox’s Bazar district along with preparedness and response to other emergencies nationwide.