Rohingya refugee children play after heavy rain in Nayapara refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. © UNHCR/Amos Halder
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
In solidarity with the people of Bangladesh, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has rushed humanitarian relief items from its refugee stockpiles in the country to help people affected by the recent flash floods in the country.
The recent catastrophic and massive floods in Bangladesh have affected millions of people in 11 districts across the country, including those in Cox’s Bazar where nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees live alongside their generous host communities.
UNHCR is providing core relief items and other humanitarian support to help address the most immediate needs of the local communities in the region, including shelter and health.
We have transported medicine and medical supplies to health clinics in the worst affected districts of Feni and Comilla through our local partner while working closely with the Cox’s Bazar District Commissioner’s office. Supplies include 350,000 water purification tablets, 20,000 jerry cans, 15,000 hygiene kits, and 10,000 emergency shelters among other items to help local authorities fight the spread of waterborne diseases, and ensure the availability of clean drinking water.
The continuous heavy rains of the monsoon season have also resulted in flash floods and landslides in the Rohingya refugee camps. UNHCR and partners are working around the clock to support affected Rohingya refugees.
For more information on this topic, please contact:
- In Bangkok: Tiy Chung, chung@unhcr.org, +66 (0) 62 310 4369
- In Cox’s Bazar: Shari Yasmin Nijman, nijman@unhcr.org +88 018 948 027 00
- In Geneva, Babar Baloch, baloch@unhcr.org, +41 79 513 95 49
