The government yesterday signed a $100 million grant financing agreement with the World Bank. The fund will be used to scale up access to energy, water, sanitation services, and disaster-resilient infrastructures for the Rohingya and surrounding host communities.

"Since the very beginning of the crisis, the World Bank has been supporting Bangladesh respond to the needs of Rohingya people as well as the host communities," said Mercy Miyang Tembon, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan. The funds will be a continuation of this support, she added.

The additional financing to the ongoing Emergency Multi-Sector Rohingya Crisis Response Project will benefit about 780,800 people, including 140,800 local people, states a World Bank press release.

The project aims to achieve this by installing mini-piped water supply schemes, point water sources, and rainwater harvesting systems, along with household and community toilets in the Cox's Bazar district, the press release added. 

The additional fund will go to building 40 multi-purpose disaster shelters, accessible to 81,000 people, and climate resilient evacuation roads. It also be used to install around 4,000 solar streetlights and 975 lightning protection systems, the release added.

The financing is expected to help government agencies strengthen institutional systems and capacities for the planning, coordination, and response to crises and emergencies.

 The agreement was signed by Additional Secretary of Economic Relations Division Md Shahabuddin Patwary and Mercy Tembon, on behalf of the government of Bangladesh  and the World Bank, respectively.