Cox's Bazar: assistance for refugees

In Cox's Bazar there is the world's largest refugee camp "Kutupalong". Simply constructed bamboo huts, covered only with tarpaulins, are lined up close together. Since August 2017, more than 740,000 Rohingya people have found refuge in the border region after fleeing violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

In total, Cox's Bazar is currently hosting more than 900,000 people from Myanmar in 34 overcrowded camps. More than half of them are women and children, often having experienced terrible things during their flight.

The return to their home country is still unclear for the refugees. In extremely difficult and cramped living conditions, they suffer from poverty, instability and threats to their health.

Zwei Frauen in Cox's Bazar beim Händewaschen — Water projects are one priority.

DRK unterstütz mit medizinischer Hilfe in den Flüchtlingscamps bei Cox's Bazar in Bangladesch — At the beginning of the crisis, the focus was on medical aid.

Kinder in den Flüchtlingscamps bei Cox's Bazar in Bangladesch — Many of the refugees are children.

Camp für Geflüchtete in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesch — The camps consist of simple huts.

The camps that have been created mean additional challenges to the existing communities in Cox's Bazar, as the region is already one of the poorest and most disaster-prone areas in Bangladesh.

During the cyclone and monsoon seasons, people live in constant danger of suffering from damage due to landslides and floods. In addition, the situation has been exacerbated extremely by the Corona pandemic.

Geflüchtetes Mädchen beim Händewaschen in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesch — Eight-year-old Sydia has learned how to wash her hands properly.

Flüchtlingslager Cox's Bazar: Rothalbmondhelferin hält einer Geflüchteten eine Kanne mit Wasser — The 22-year-old volunteer Ayesha conducts hygiene training.

Foto: Wasserrettungsübung - Katastrophenvorsorge in Cox's Bazar — Exercise in water rescue for disaster preparedness

Das DRK hilft in Bangladesch bei der Registrierung von Geflüchteten in Cox's Bazar — The GRC has been on the ground since the beginning of the crisis.

The situation of the people – both the refugees from Myanmar and the Bangladeshi population – is still precarious. It requires a longer-term and broad-based humanitarian intervention.

The makeshift tent camps constructed from bamboo and plastic sheets offer insufficient protection against heavy rains and recurring storms.

The hygienic conditions are alarming: many sanitary facilities in the camps – often emergency toilets without washing amenities – are dilapidated. In addition, there is often a lack of adequate lighting, leaving women and children in particular not feeling safe there.

Since the water supply in the camps is not developed with blanket coverage, the people are often forced to collect water from contaminated sources, which leads to diarrhoea and other diseases. At the same time water treatment in households is inadequate: Chlorine tablets are often not used properly and are not sustainable. It is therefore necessary to test alternative forms of treatment and to change the hygiene behaviour of those affected in the long term.

Hilfseinsatz des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes (DRK) in den Flüchtlingscamps bei Cox's Bazar in Bangladesch — The Red Crescent Society in Bangladesh is an important partner.

Das DRK hilft in Bangladesch bei der Registrierung von Geflüchtete in Cox's Bazar — About 120,000 people in Cox's Bazar are supported.

DRK versorgt Menschen aus Rakhine in Cox's Bazar mit Wasser — Especially water, sanitation and medical treatment are needed.

Hygieneschulung in Bangladesch, Cox's Bazar — Workshops and trainings on the ground

As a long-standing partner in emergency relief and disaster preparedness, the German Red Cross has been supporting the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) since the beginning of the large-scale refugee movement. It is present on the ground with international and local staff.

The activities aiming to support refugees and host communities focus on strengthening shelters in the face of extreme weather as well as on maintaining and improving water and sanitation services.

In addition, the German Red Cross is engaged in building and expanding the local capacity of the BDRCS and targets to strengthen the cross-country cooperation with the Red Cross in Myanmar.

Jointly the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and the German Red Cross are supporting more than 120,000 people in camps, host communities and schools in Cox's Bazar. The three projects involve refugees as well host communities to promote social cohesion.

care and maintenance of water facilities
construction of hand washing stations
construction of deep wells
construction and repair of latrines and adequate lighting
sewage disposal and purification risk
education on diseases caused by polluted water

hygiene promotion campaigns and training of multipliers
distribution of 96,000 hygiene kits (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, detergent) for 30,000 people annually
distribution of Corona protection masks
support for waste management

training in the construction of safe shelters
individual support by local carpenters to repair the shelters
distribution of household goods, building materials and tools for renovation and construction of storm-resistant shelters

extension of water drainage system to prevent landslides and soil erosion; construction of 10km drainage system
provision of latrines and construction as well as protection materials to prevent flood and landslide damage at 20 sites
workshops, trainings and drills for Rohingya volunteers in camps, refugees and residents in host communities and schools to prepare for extreme weather
distribution of personal protective equipment for volunteers

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Since mid-2017, they have been working tirelessly in order to assist the refugees from Myanmar: the professionals and volunteers of the Bangladesh Red Crescent as well as the German Red Cross. They adapt to changing conditions and always do their best despite all adversities - such as extreme weather or the COVID-19 pandemic. Get to know some of them. ►

Portrait eines DRK-Mitarbeiters — GRC Head of Office Gaurav Ray, Dhaka, Bangladesh: “The German Red Cross continues its collaborative partnership approach in Bangladesh. We are committed to capacity exchanges and foster innovation in our work with the Red Crescent Society. We are supporting positive changes in the areas of anticipatory action, emergency cash response and urban disaster risk management.”

Gespräch im Zuge von Hilfsmaßnahmen für Lebensgrundlagen — GRC Head of Office Gaurav Ray, Dhaka, Bangladesh: “Cox’s Bazar, in the South-East of Bangladesh, is one of the geographic priorities of the German Red Cross being host to the world’s largest refugee camp and due to its high-risk exposure to extreme weather events. Alongside this, we steadfastly commit to enhance organizational capacities of BDRCS to prepare for and respond to disasters and crisis.”

Portrait eines DRK-Mitarbeiters in Bangladesch — GRC Program Coordinator Henk Schipper, GRC office in Cox`s Bazar: “Four years after the influx of Rohingyas from Myanmar, we continue to operate in Cox’s Bazar. It is therefore important for us to constantly coordinate our activities to prevent duplication and explore complementarity of interventions as the situation develops into a protracted crisis.”

Hilfsgüterverteilung in Bangladesch — GRC Program Coordinator Henk Schipper: “And now more than ever, water, sanitation and hygiene are needed in refugee camps due to the risks of COVID-19. We have maintained our operations during the lockdown period to ensure that families have access to safe drinking water and clean latrines.”

Portrait einer DRK-Mitarbeiterin in Bangladesch — GRC Project Delegate Ana Mariquina, Cox`s Bazar: “People living in Teknaf Peninsula has long been exposed to cyclone and flood hazards. This is threatening the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolks. Therefore, we are supporting both the host and guest communities to strengthen disaster preparedness, improve their livelihoods and promote safe shelter contributing to a broader peaceful co-existence.”

Handwaschstation in Bangladesch mit DRK-Mitarbeitern — GRC Project Delegate Ana Mariquina, Cox`s Bazar: “As we face the COVID-19 pandemic, we have experienced multiple setbacks due to lockdowns and other public restrictions. We have since undertaken additional precautions to prevent and minimize virus transmission within our activities. It is not an easy task, but as we are unstoppable, we will continue our work with and for the communities.“

Portrait einer Rothalbmondmitarbeiterin in Bangladesch — BDRCS Technical Project Assistant Chadni Akter: “As a Technical Project Assistant, I facilitate the implementation of disaster risk reduction and livelihood activities in close coordination with local leaders and through the Red Crescent Youth volunteers. Being a female development worker, I take pride in our work because I know we are helping the community enhance their resilience and be safer during emergencies.”

Schulung des Bangladeschischen Roten Kreuzes — BDRCS Technical Project Assistant Chadni Akter: “It is also a rewarding experience to gain valuable lessons from the life stories of housewives, teachers, students, workers, and older persons. The emergence of COVID-19 has made my task difficult but with proper support and guidance received, I am slowly adjusting to this new normal.”

Portrait eines Bangladeschischen Rothalbmond-Freiwilligen — BDRCS Volunteer Md. Foisal: “I am Md. Foisal, working with Bangladesh Red Crescent Society as community volunteer in the camp since 2018. We help the community people with COVID-19 key messages, proper handwashing with soap, wearing mask, and maintaining personal hygiene. Also, we distribute soap, hygiene kits and waste bin based on need. I am happy to contribute in the better living standard to our community.”

Portrait einer Rothalbmond-Freiwilligen in Bagladesch — DRCS Volunteer Shamsunnahar: “I am Shamsunnahar, working as Bangladesh Red Crescent Society hygiene promotion volunteer in the camp since 2018. I go house-to-house and make the community aware about the importance of handwashing, personal hygiene, menstrual hygiene as well as maintaining water and sanitation facilities.”

Portrait einer Geflüchteten vor Camp in Bangladesch — Ambia*, Camp: “The household sessions on personal hygiene, menstrual hygiene, safe water storage, latrine cleaning, and handwashing made us change our behavior gradually. Now we are cleaning the water and sanitation facilities by ourselves and regularly. It helped in reducing the diseases in our area. I am very happy about that.”

Portrait eines Geflüchteten vor Camp in Bangladesch — Zunayed*, Camp: “Bangladesh Red Crescent Society constructed water and sanitation facilities such as tap stand, handpumps, latrines, bathing cubicles with drainage facilities. Besides they provided us with hygiene materials. We have been taught how to keep ourselves and our environment clean. We thank Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and German Red Cross for their support.”

Portrait einer Geflüchteten in Camp in Bangladesch — Amina*, Camp: “When we arrived here, we didn’t have anything. Bangladesh Red Crescent Society supported us with hygiene products and menstrual hygiene kits as well as sanitation facilities. Their volunteers also provide hygiene promotion session regularly. When we heard about the new disease COVID-19, we were very concerned. Thankfully, the volunteers made us aware of COVID-19 and its prevention measures. I am very happy to get support from the Red Crescent and the Red Cross.

Portrait eines Geflüchteten in bangladeschischem Camp — Hamid*, Camp: “The volunteers of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society are always here to support us and even consults us about our water and sanitation needs. By now the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society installed a latrine, a bathing cubicle, a handwashing station and a tap stand in our area. This has made our life easier in the camp.”

Portrait einer Hilfsempfängerin in Bangladesch — Yesmin, host community: “I had skill for sewing clothes but was not capable to buy a machine. Now got machine to fulfill my dream and be financially independent. Red Crescent has made my life meaningful by providing this support.”

Portrait eines Dorfvorstehers in Bangladesch — Sayed Hossain, village leader, host community: “Most of the people in our village do fishing for their living and are used to walk in this street even at night. After installing solar streetlights, with support of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, people feel safer and secured while moving around in the dark."

Portrait eines Hilfsempfängers in Bangladesch — Basiram, School Recipient, host community:
“The school was closed for a long time due to COVID-19. Now that the schools are gradually opening again, we are ready to protect the students from COVID-19 through the installation of hand washing points supported by the Red Crescent.”

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Cox's Bazar is one of the poorest regions in Bangladesh. This makes it all the more important to support not only the refugees but also people in the host communities in order to promote peaceful coexistence.

* Name modified editorially

Region: Cox's Bazar
Project volume: 2,339,376 €
Duration: 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021
Funding by: German Federal Foreign Office, German Red Cross/Donations
Partners: Bangladesh Red Crescent

Region: Cox's Bazar
Project volume: 1,262,745.02 €
Duration: 1 January 2019 to 31 October 2021
Funding: German Red Cross/Donations
Partner: Bangladesh Red Crescent

Region: Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh and Rakhine, Myanmar
Project volume: 2,908,708 €
Duration: 1 September 2019 to 31 December 2023
Financing: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, German Red Cross/donations
Partners: Bangladesh Red Crescent, Myanmar Red Cross

Multiple challenges

Needs to be appeased

GRC assistance for the refugees

Relief measures

Water and sanitation

Hygiene promotion

Shelters

Disaster Risk Reduction

Involved in Cox's Bazar

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Humanitarian aid for refugees and host communities

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Current projects in Cox's Bazar

Water, sanitation, hygiene & disaster preparedness

Support for refugees and host communities

Strengthening resilience, disaster risk reduction, income-securing measures

Your donation is supporting people in Cox's Bazar!