ZCZC
BSS-04
ADB-GRANT-ASSISTANCE
ADB approves $ 100m grants for Rohingyas in Bangladesh camps
DHAKA, July 6, 2018 (BSS) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of
Directors has approved grant assistance of $100 million-the first of an
envisaged package totaling $200 million to help Bangladesh develop basic
infrastructure and services for displaced persons (Rohingyas).
Since late August 2017, about 700,000 people have crossed the border from
Rakhine State, Myanmar, into Coxs Bazar at the southeast tip of Bangladesh.
This has caused a huge strain on the local infrastructure, economy as
well as a major humanitarian concern. The displaced persons are living in 32
camps spread over the district.
Providing food, shelter, health, sanitation, water, and other essential
services in the camps while fending off disease is a daily challenge. If
unaddressed, conditions are feared to worsen dramatically, said an ADB press
release today.
“Given the scale of the humanitarian needs, we are coordinating closely
and promptly with World Bank and other development partners to support the
government in addressing the crisis in Cox’s Bazar,” said ADB President
Takehiko Nakao.
“With the principle of putting people first, ADB’s project in this first
phase will seek to provide basic infrastructure and services that will ease
vulnerabilities and risk of hunger, disease, and disaster, ” said the ADB top
boss.
Nakao received the request from Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith,
for grant assistance when they met in early May. Then ADB developed and
processed the project at an extraordinary speed under its emergency
procedure.
The ADB $100 million grant project will support the displaced people
sheltered in camps in the Ukhia and Teknaf upazilas of Cox’s Bazar focusing
on water supply and sanitation, disaster risk management, energy, and roads.
The project will rehabilitate roads within the camps to connect essential
food distribution and storage centers, hospitals, education facilities, and
provide emergency access.
It will also resurface the road from Coxs Bazar to Teknaf and other
critical sections. To address water needs, the project will provide mobile
water carriers, community bathing facilities, and build a piped water supply
system and waste management facilities, together with small water treatment
plants.
Solar powered and mini grid-connected street lighting will be provided
and access to electricity augmented by substations, distribution lines, and
transformers.
The southeastern part of Bangladesh is highly susceptible to various
types of natural hazards, as well as cyclone and monsoon seasons, which
include flooding, landslides, lightning, fires, and heat waves.
Given these potential challenges, the project will strengthen disaster
risk management by constructing cyclone shelters with emergency access roads,
as well as food distribution centers, walls to protect against landslides,
and a storm water drainage network.
ADB support will be within the framework of multisector Joint Response
Plan prepared by the UN-led Inter Sector Coordination Group in coordination
with the government.
The project has been developed and will be implemented in coordination
with United Nations agencies, the World Bank, and other donors that are
giving humanitarian relief such as food, water, medical aid, and temporary
shelter.
The first phase is costing $120 million over about 2.5 years. The first
ADB $100 million grant will come from the Asian Development Fund (ADF), while
the government will provide $20 million. Nakao appreciated the ADF donors’
prompt endorsement of grant financing for Bangladesh.
The scope and timing of a second phase of ADB grant support of a further
$100 million will build on the progress of the first phase.
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