ZCZC
BSS-22
ROHINGYA-IOM
IOM rolls out supplies to help Rohingyas on monsoon
COX’S BAZAR, June 02, 2018 (BSS) – As Rohingyas and local residents in Cox’s Bazar, learn how to prepare for monsoon disaster scenarios, the UN migration agency IOM has been rolling out vital supplies to help them in their life-saving efforts.
Radios, megaphones, first aid kits, stretchers, protective clothing, warning flags and sirens are among the items being distributed among over 500 Rohingya emergency volunteers in the Kutapalong and Balukhali extension, also known as the ‘megacamp’, said a report of IOM.
In addition, almost 1,000 volunteers from the host community have received similar emergency “toolkits” in the Teknaf area.
Almost one million Rohingya are sheltering under tarpaulins in Cox’s Bazar after fleeing waves of brutal violence in Myanmar.
Now a new threat to their lives looms on the horizon in the form of cyclones and monsoon storms.
Most of the Rohingyas are living on steep sandy slopes. Studies by IOM and other agencies found around 200,000 people will be in serious danger from landslides and floods when the worst weather hits.
But people living in the region suffered the deadly impacts of cyclones and monsoon landslides, even before the arrival of almost 700,000 people in just six months dramatically altered the topography of the area, making it even more vulnerable to environmental disasters.
Bangladesh authorities in conjunction with the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and American Red Cross have been training local residents in cyclone preparedness programmes (CPP) since 1972.
Now, with the support of IOM and other partners, those skills are being shared with the Rohingyas.
Across the region, IOM and other agencies are on standby to support the Bangladesh authorities to help keep vital access open and provide medical and other essential services in the event of a disaster.
“It’s all about the preparedness of the volunteers. Now they can spread their knowledge among others and work to reduce the suffering of affected people,” said Rafael Abis, Site Management Area Coordinator, IOM.
In the Teknaf area, there are almost 1,000 CPP volunteers from the local community, around one third of whom are women, ready to respond to emergencies.
IOM has now provided them with equipment including bicycles, radios, megaphones, hand sirens, stretchers, warning flags, rain coats, gum boots and first aid kits to support them in the months to come.
“The volunteers had needed the equipment for a long time and now IOM is with us to provide the support,” said Hafiz Uddin, Deputy Director, CPP, Cox’s Bazar district at the recently held toolkit handover programme in Teknaf.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Rabiul Hasan told the participants, “Take proper care of these tools and equipment, as these are very precious for us.”
The process needs to be owned by participants and a strong monitoring mechanism should be in place by the CPP for the equipment, he added.
BSS/pr/MKD/KU/1814 HRS