Jean Pesme, World Bank (WB) Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, on Wednesday said they will continue to support Bangladesh for the welfare of the vulnerable Rohingya and host communities in the coastal district.
"This is my first visit to the Cox's Bazar Rohingya camps as Division Director. I am very happy to see that this project benefits both the Rohingya and the host of Cox's Bazar. The disaster shelters are being used not only as safe havens during emergencies but also for education and social services. This is very encouraging. The World Bank will continue to work alongside Bangladesh for the welfare of these vulnerable communities," he said
Jean Pesme said this while speaking as the chief guest at an event at the handover and inauguration of a Multi-Purpose Community Service Centre at Rohingya Camp 2W in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar, stated a press release.
The Emergency Multi-Sector Rohingya Crisis Response Project (EMCRP) implemented the centre.
The ceremony highlighted Bangladesh's commitment, in partnership with the World Bank, to improving the living standards of both Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) and host communities of Bangladesh.
At the event, special guests included Javed Karim, Additional Chief Engineer at LGED and Project Director of EMCRP, and Obaydullah, Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and Joint Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh.
Abdus Salam, Deputy Project Director EMCRP-LGED and Swarna Kazi, Task Team Leader, the World Bank, attended the event.
The program was presided over by Fokrul Islam, Camp-in-Charge and Executive Magistrate and Senior Assistant Secretary.
In his address, Javed Karim recalled the 2018 visit of UN Secretary-General Ant›nio Guterres and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, who expressed deep concern over the plight of the Rohingya people.
He explained that EMCRP was launched in response, under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) with financial support from the World Bank.
"The project aims to reduce disaster risks, ensure safe water and sanitation, improve access to education, strengthen systems against gender-based violence, and protect the environment," Javed Karim noted.
He further outlined major achievements to date: construction of 15 cyclone shelters, 16 multi-purpose community service centres inside camps, nine satellite fire stations, over 4,000 solar streetlights, more than 1,000 nano-grid power facilities, and 67 lightning arrestors.
He said that communication and awareness campaigns are encouraging people to use these facilities responsibly under the project motto- "The service facilities for me; I use those with care."
Obaydullah, Additional RRRC, praised the new centre as the only permanent multipurpose structure inside the Rohingya camps.
"This shelter will serve as a disaster protection during emergencies and a space for education, health, and social programs at other times. Community ownership is vital to protect and maintain this centre," he emphasised.
The significance of the project was echoed by the community itself.
A Rohingya parent attending the event expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, "This centre has made my daughter's education easier and more comfortable. Previously, her classes were in a small thatched room. Now, she studies in a clean, spacious building with toilets and water facilities. During cyclones, we will also find shelter here. We are very thankful to the Government of Bangladesh and hope for more such centres, as we are many."
The EMCRP, implemented by LGED, the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP), was responsible for supporting LGED in enhancing communication capacity and raising awareness among FDMN and host communities on encouraging community people responsible service usages, the entire activities with financing from the World Bank, continues to demonstrate how coordinated government and development partnerships can bring resilience, dignity, and hope to displaced and host populations alike.
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