ReliefWeb

What you need to know today

• A total of 655,000 forcibly-displaced Myanmar nationals have entered Bangladesh since 25 August (Source: ISCG report, 26 December)

• BRAC's total coverage (based on sanitation) is 607,560 people with installation of 15,189 latrines (88 today). BRAC ensures access to safe water for 383,156 people through 1,386 shallow tube wells, 110 deep tube wells (3 today) and three ring wells. 4,071 bathing cubicles were set up (20 today); especially for women and adolescent girls. A total of 4,396 latrines have been de-sludged (196 today) and made functional for reusing. 805 latrines have been decommissioned (7 today). A total of 39,956 hygiene sessions have been conducted (672 today).

• BRAC's 10 primary health centers and 50 satellite clinics have provided 675,986 services (7,172 patients today). 82,967 cases of pneumonia (937 today) and 85,567 cases of diarrhoea have been treated (812 today). BRAC has helped to deliver 427 babies so far and six of them were born today.

• BRAC helped to vaccinate 28,679 children (2,143 today) during the immunisation campaign against diphtheria. 222 BRAC volunteers were involved to bring 165,074 children to government vaccination centres. BRAC has identified 458 diphtheria cases (10 today) and referred for isolation. 279 health workers and 1,129 programme staff have been trained to handle diphtheria cases. BRAC health workers have counseled 22,635 people on diphtheria (1,654 today) and a total of 906 hand washing points have been installed.

• 214,407 blankets and 256,591 sets of clothes (1,620 today )have been distributed; especially children and elderly people for protection against cold weather.

• Some 36,924 children received recreational support through 215 child friendly spaces (CFS).

• 19,740 children have access to 188 learning centres and 328 teachers have been assigned to guide them.

• 61,711 household visits have been completed (12,858 today) by community mobilisation volunteers. So far, orientation training of 800 volunteers and 127 staff has been completed.

KEY CHALLENGES

Irrevocable Loss of Biodiversity

A quick environment assessment of the UNDP, identified that biodiversity (animals and plants) will seriously be threatened with the increased numbers and expansion of makeshift settlements in Cox's Bazaar. Several species of birds and animals may become extinct if the building of more settlements continues at the current rate.

Documenting the impact

Many organisations deliver their support without considering whether their services are helpful for the FDMNs. The response for this unique humanitarian crisis needs proper documentation and requires continuous impact assessment to ensure learning and improvement.

WHAT DO PEOPLE NEED MOST?

Shelter materials, such as high-quality tarpaulins; cold weather items, including blankets, floor mats, clothes for new born baby; fuel for stoves; water storage containers; and solar/flash lights.