Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
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An estimated 688 000 Rohingya have crossed over to Bangladesh following violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state on 25 August 2017.
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The ongoing challenges in safe water, sanitation and hygiene raise, together with the upcoming rainy season, risk of outbreaks of waterborne and diseases transmitted through the fecal-oral route, as well as vectorborne diseases among others.
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The second round of vaccination campaign against diphtheria concluded on 10 February with 391 678 children (109% of estimated target) immunized.
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Health sector partners are actively engaged in emergency preparedness and mitigation efforts ahead of the expected rainy season.
1. SITUATION OVERVIEW
Since 25 August 2017, an estimated 688 000 Rohingya have crossed over from Myanmar into Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, joining approximately 212 000 others who had fled in earlier waves of displacement. Rohingya continue to cross into Bangladesh, but at a decreased rate with only 801 new arrivals from 1-9 February. As of 9 February 2018 over 585 000 arrivals are in Kutupalong expansion site, 237 000 in other camps and settlements, and 79 000 arrivals in host communities, impacting the already congested health response. Pre-existing camps and settlements as well as new spontaneous settlements have expanded with the new influx. The scale of influx into Cox’s Bazar district and the scarcity of resources resulted in a critical humanitarian emergency that exceeded the coping capacity of the local communities and systems. The crowded living conditions in camps and settlements expose the refugees to further risks of public and individual health. Basic services available prior to influx became over-strained due to massive demands on the systems and services.
To date the health sector’s 150 national and international partners have responded to the needs through health service delivery in more than 270 static and mobile health facilities in both Ukhia, and Teknaf. The total estimated population in need which the health sector is targeting is 1.3 million including new arrivals, existing refugees, host community and 100,000 contingency. The sector is responding to the population needs through provision of health services in camps as well as strengthening of the health system as a whole through supporting existing health facilities, the health workforce and the surveillance system. Overall, the health sector partners are coordinated under the leadership of WHO and the Civil Surgeon’s Office of Cox’s Bazar for better planning and coordinated emergency response. The current health sector focus is strengthening preparedness for the impending rainy season for which there is a high likelihood of floods, landslides and associated health threats, including epidemics.