Japan, UNFPA sign $3.7m assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh
Japan yesterday signed an agreement to provide $3.7 million to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in assistance to the Rohingya refugees in Bhasan Char and host communities in Noakhali.
The fund will be used to improve access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, protect dignity and safety of women and girls from gender-based violence (GBV) and empowering adolescents and youth, according to a press release issued by the Embassy of Japan.
"With the generous support of the Government of Japan, UNFPA is able to work with the Government of Bangladesh to scale up lifesaving SRH, and GBV services and strengthen linkages between key health facilities in Noakhali district.
"UNFPA wishes to thank the Government of Japan for the confidence expressed and most notably their encouraging engagement to improve health and protection outcomes for women and girls and across Noakhali district and Bhasan Char," the release quoted Kristine Blokhus, UNFPA representative as saying.
"I am delighted that Japan can provide additional assistance to Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char, and to the host communities through UNFPA," said ITO Naoki, ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh. "While many women and girls are suffering from reproductive health problems and GBV due to the protracted Rohingya crisis, assistance to those areas has been relatively scarce. I hope that this assistance will contribute to the protection of women and girls, their dignity, and improvement of their quality of life.
"As the Rohingya crisis has turned into the sixth year, it is imperative to continue funding for better and dignified lives of refugees, while making every effort for the early repatriation to Myanmar. Durable solutions of this crisis will be conducive to realizing the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, Japan will stand by the Government and the people of Bangladesh in supporting the Rohingya response."
Since the beginning of the emergency in August 2017, Japan has been a steadfast supporter of the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh, contributing over $175 million to UNFPA and other UN agencies and NGOs in Bangladesh, including through this new funding, the release added.