Japan to provide US $4.5 million for protection, assistance of Rohingyas in Bangladesh

The Government of Japan and UNHCR on Tuesday (Feb 22) signed an agreement for the protection and assistance of forcible displaced Rohingya population from Myanmar sheltered in Bangladesh.

The contribution of US $ 4.5 million, equivalent to, JPY 600 million, will be used for reinforcement of life-saving and life-sustaining services by improving the livelihood of refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char.

An Exchange of Notes was signed by Iwama Kiminori, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, and Johannes van der Klaauw, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh, said the Embassy of Japan.

"This new contribution from the Government of Japan for some of UNHCR’s essential protection and assistance programs as well as livelihood activities in the camps in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char comes at a critical time now that we are facing a looming funding crisis already manifest in reduced refugee access to food”, said Johannes van der Klaauw, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh.

“Japan is once more at the forefront of supporting UNHCR programmes in Bangladesh. We hope this contribution will also serve as a catalyst for other donors to follow suit”.

“During my visit to Cox's Bazar last month, I was impressed by the use of information technology for the joint management of the registration for Rohingya refugees by the Government of Bangladesh and UNHCR. I was also delighted to witness strengthened livelihood assistance in collaboration with a Japanese company, where Rohingya women produce sanitary goods,” said Iwama Kiminori, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh.

The Japanese envoy expressed his hope that the support from Government of Japan would improve living conditions of both Rohingya and local communities.

Since the large influx in August 2017, Japan has contributed over 204 million USD to various interventions in Cox's Bazar as well as in Bhasan Char through international organizations and NGOs.

These assistances include food assistance, healthcare, WASH, shelter, protection, and gender.