Monday, December 14, 2009

EU, UNHCR ink deal to improve living conditions of Rohingya refugees

Filed under: On The Border

Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: The European Union (EU) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) inked an agreement to improve the living standards of registered Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh yesterday, according to sources.
The European Union (EU) will donate Taka 1360 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in aid of Rohingya refugees based in two official camps in Cox’s Bazar, the source said.

The fund would ensure better health, nutrition and life skills for over 28,000 refugees in the camps.

Saber Azam, Country Representative of UNHCR and Stefan Frowein, Head of the EU in Bangladesh, signed an agreement on behalf of their respective global organizations in the capital, Dhaka.

The money would be used to improve safety and security in the camps and help prevent sexual violence through the installation of solar lighting that would allow women to move around safely at night, the two parties decided while inking the agreement.

Besides, improvements would be made to drinking water and sanitation facilities in the two camps at Kutupalong and Nayapara in Cox’s Bazar.

“The money will help to improve living conditions of the refugees at the two camps,” said Saber Azam.

A refugee from Nayapara camp said, “I hope since the EU has decided to donate huge money to us, our living standard will improve, but the money should be used where it is needed.”

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