Attachments
Highlights
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The protracted Rohingya refugee crisis is a major humanitarian emergency, with 971,904 Rohingya refugees1 living in 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, the world's largest refugee settlement.
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Bangladesh continues to experience increased recurrence of severe floods, cyclones, landslides and riverbank erosion as a result of the impact of climate change. In 2023, Tropical Cyclones Mocha, Hamoon and Midhili hit landfall and its effects were felt in Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram and St. Martin Island of Bangladesh. Chattogram Division experienced the impact of devastating flash floods with up to 1.3 million people including 630,000 women and 480,000 children (0-19 years old) affected while 600,000 people were left in need of aid. Bangladesh has also suffered from its most severe outbreak of dengue on record and by the end of 2023, 321,179 cumulative dengue cases (40 per cent women and 17 per cent children 0-15 years old) were recorded.
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In 2023, UNICEF reached 1.8 million people (73 per cent children, 56 per cent female) including 361,374 Rohingya refugees through multi-sectoral services.
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As of 31 December 2023, 820,220 infants (433,759 girls) aged 0 to 11 months received pentavalent 3 vaccine, 804,108 pregnant women received quality antenatal and postnatal care services and 984,586 children (477,980 girls) under five years received IMCI services through UNICEF support.
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A total of 376,211 people (192,074 female, 4,432 persons with disabilities) accessed a sufficient quantity and quality of water for drinking and domestic needs while 512,998 people (262,851 female and 4,049 persons with disabilities) accessed appropriate sanitation services including the Rohingya refugees and Cox’s Bazar host community.
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UNICEF provided training on DRR, emergency preparedness, response and resilience to 323 participants from the government, CSOs and UNICEF. This training provided the participants with the necessary skills to manage subsequent recurring emergencies as part of the Disaster Management Committees (DMCs).
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In 2023, the UNICEF 2023 HAC appeal of $173.5 million received $119.5 million of its funding requirements (69 per cent), allowing for a partial humanitarian response.
Situation in Number
3 million Children in need of humanitarian assistance (UNICEF HAC 2023)
6.7 million People in need including refugee and host communities (UNICEF HAC 2023)
0.5 million Rohingya children in need of assistance (UNHCR, 31 December 2023)
0.97 million Total Rohingya population in need of assistance (UNHCR, 31 December 2023)
Funding Overview and Partnerships
The UNICEF 2023 HAC appeal of $173.5 million received approximately $119.5 million of its funding requirements met (69 per cent), with a funding gap of $54 million (31 per cent of the total appeal). A 30 per cent funding cut on the Joint Response Plan (JRP) 2023 funding requirement of US$ 876 million was experienced, and if this trend continues, it may have a significant impact on service delivery in 2024 and beyond.
With the funding available in 2023 (new funds for 2023 plus carry-over from 2022), UNICEF expresses its sincere gratitude to the Asian Development Bank, Australia (DFAT), Canada (GAC), Denmark, Education Cannot Wait, the European Union (ECHO, INTPA), Gavi- the Vaccine Alliance, Germany (BMZ/KfW Development Bank), Global Partnership for Education, Islamic Development Bank (KS relief), Japan, South Korea (Republic of Korea), Sweden (Sida), Switzerland (SDC), the United Kingdom (FCDO), United States of America (BPRM, BHA-USAID), UNOCHA- CERF, the World Bank, and various other UNICEF National Committees for their generous contributions to this response. At the same time, UNICEF acknowledges that the funding gaps in Child Protection (64 per cent), cross- sectoral interventions (56 per cent), and WASH (31 per cent) restricted UNICEF’s ability to meet all priority needs of children, including girls, women, and persons with disabilities. Flexible and multi-year donor funding in 2024 will continue be critical in providing essential support to Rohingya refugees and the most vulnerable children in Bangladesh.