ADB to provide 'exceptional' grant to Bangladesh

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has decided to provide Bangladesh with a grant worth around $200 million, to help tackle the ongoing Rohingya crisis.

“Based on the request from the Bangladesh Government, ADB will consider providing a substantial amount of grant support, as an exceptional case, to refugees as well as host communities in close collaboration with the government and the World Bank,” said Country Director Manmohan Parkash.

A team from ADB, led by the country director, visited Cox's Bazar yesterday to identify scope and areas of a project to be developed jointly with the government.

The country director said the amount and date are yet to be confirmed.

The government's Economic Relations Division (ERD) and ADB did not disclose the amount of the grant officially, but sources confirmed that it would be around $200 million.

The assistance will be used to meet the basic needs of over one million Rohingya refugees, as well as the host communities.

Talking to The Daily Star, Kazi Shofiqul Azam, secretary of ERD, said ADB on Monday discussed with them their interest to provide support for Rohingya crisis.

It is difficult for Bangladesh to provide all needs of Rohingyas, he said. “We sought grant support from ADB along with World Bank, not on credit.”

However, he did not disclose the grant amount that will be provided by ADB as a written document is yet to be sent by ADB.

Shofiqul Azam said they will prepare the project proposal after assessment of the ADB and WB and there is a chance of delay.

The ERD secretary said ADB took the decision about the grant for Rohingya crisis during its last annual meeting held in Manila earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has completed its assessment about the need of Rohingya refugees. 

He said the grant of ADB will be utilised with combination of World Bank and implementation modalities will be same like Washington based global lender.

Gobinda Bar, team leader, External Relations, ADB told The Daily Star that fund will be released within very short time and the official process will be completed immediately in consideration emergency need.