Dhaka, 26 February 2024- The Government of Japan has decided to provide the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with USD 2.7 million in assistance for the implementation of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), disaster risk reduction, shelter upgrade, site management and site development and protection for the Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar district.

An Exchange of Notes was signed by H.E. Mr. IWAMA Kiminori, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, and Mr. Abdusattor Esoev, Chief of Mission, IOM Bangladesh.

The project will reach approximately 500,000 Rohingya refugees and people of host communities in Cox’s Bazar district in total, implementing a comprehensive plan to improve the living conditions among the Rohingya and host population in Cox’s Bazar, in the sector of WASH, disaster risk reduction, Shelter/Non-food Items, site management and protection.

Ambassador IWAMA expressed his hope that the support from the Government of Japan would improve the living conditions of both Rohingya and host communities.

“I’m hopeful for this comprehensive plan to improve the living conditions for Rohingya refugees and host communities. These five sectors are fundamental to improving the protection, quality of life, and resilience of both Rohingya refugees and host communities, and this project will reach many people in the camps as well as host communities. Japan will continue to work towards sustainable solutions including the support of the repatriation of refugees to Myanmar and will cooperate with international organizations such as IOM.” said Ambassador IWAMA. 

“Japan has been a very important partner for IOM in the Rohingya Response, helping to address the significant challenges that both the Rohingya refugees and the host communities face in Cox’s Bazar, and their priority needs. Reduced humanitarian funding for the Rohingya refugees is becoming a significant challenge, and we sincerely appreciate that the people and Government of Japan have continuously supported IOM's interventions in the response since 2017. We hope that the strong partnership between IOM and the Government of Japan continues for years to come,” said Mr. Abdusattor Esoev, Chief of Mission of IOM Bangladesh.

Since the beginning of the emergency in August 2017, Japan has been a steady supporter of the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh, contributing over USD $220 million to IOM and other UN agencies as well as NGOs in Bangladesh, including through this new funding.

● Inquiry

             Contact: Public Relations, Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh 
             Email: publicrelations@dc.mofa.go.jp 
             Dutabash Road, Baridhara, Dhaka-1212
             Tel: +880-2-2222-60010

                Disha Sonata Faruque
             Senior Programme Officer, International Organization for Migration in Bangladesh 
             House 13/A, Road 136, Gulshan 1, Dhaka-1212
             Email: dfaruque@iom.int, Phone: +8801973081965