Shelters being readied for Rohingyas

In addition to the cyclone shelters already there for the Rohingyas living in Cox's Bazar, other establishments are being readied to be temporarily used if needed when Cyclone Mocha hits the country, speakers at a coordination meeting said.

Conducted by the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) in its office yesterday, the meeting discussed the measures taken to ensure the safety of the Rohingyas in the Ukhiya and Teknaf refugee camps.

It was chaired by Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, joint secretary of RRRC in Cox's Bazar.

Hasanul Amin, deputy director of the Cyclone Preparedness Programme, said they have around 3,400 volunteers at the ready. They, along with other organisations, will work on safe evacuation.

"The volunteers are already conducting door-to-door campaigns in this regard and will make announcements over microphones tomorrow [today] to warn people about the storm."

The meeting decided closing down all educational institutions from Sunday onwards to use them as shelters if needed, setting up control rooms in each camp, and relocating people living in landslide-prone areas.

The district administration has been requested to ensure schools near the camps can be used as shelters.

Besides, all the learning, community and nutrition centers; community meeting halls and mosques will also be used as temporary shelters if needed.

Belal Hossain, director and head of operations of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, at the meeting said, "Around Tk 20 lakh has been allocated for the disaster relief fund [ahead of the cyclone]."

Imrul Kayes, representative from the Cox's Bazar Civil Surgeon's office, said, health facilities in the camps, along with those at the Ukhiya Health Complex and Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, have been amped up with mobile teams, ambulances and other necessary equipment for emergency assistance.

Meanwhile, Emmanuela Mashayo, head of Bangladesh chapter of the World Food Programme, said energy biscuits, hot meals, water purification tablets and other necessary items have already been stocked up for disaster relief.

Abdur Rahman, meteorological officer in Cox's Bazar, said Cyclone Mocha is expected to hit Cox's Bazar around 6:00am on Sunday (May 14).

Atish Chakma, deputy assistant director of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense, also spoke at the meeting.