Despite COVID-19 limitations, UNHCR worked with the Government and other partners to provide basic assistance (shelter repairs, health, nutrition, core relief items, WASH and energy) and mitigate disaster risks through a community-centred response in the camps. Pre-monsoon kits, composed of shelter reinforcement materials, were provided to 87,795 households in preparation for natural disasters. Primary healthcare services were provided through 22 healthcare facilities and 46,253 mothers of children under five were instructed on the mother-led Mid-Upper Arm Circumference concept to screen their children for malnutrition.
Under the WASH programme, 96,428 household handwashing tippy taps were installed and handwashing devices were set up at latrine blocks (14,928) and in public places (307). 225,468 female hygiene kits and 108,375 solar torches were distributed to 107,295 women and 91,371 refugee and 17,148 host community households were supported with energy-saving liquefied petroleum gas, which has reduced protection risks and deforestation.
At the end of March, humanitarian access to the camps was necessarily restricted by the authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19, limiting protection interventions and services. Learning centres were closed and group activities were halted. In response, UNHCR set up measures to maintain communication with refugees remotely and devised a strategy to support home-based, caregiver-led learning, which covered 61,307 learners aged 3-24 years (53% coverage in UNHCR managed camps), use door-to-door outreach mechanisms and remote counselling. Refugee volunteers played a crucial role in delivering key messages within their own communities, particularly with the reduced humanitarian presence.
A community-based approach and harmonized assistance across the camps remained a strategic priority for UNHCR in 2020, notwithstanding the pandemic situation. Community groups expanded to 30 camps (35 locations) with 150 community groups comprised of over 3,490 volunteers. Community Outreach Members (COMs) conducted 82,635 outreach sessions reaching 439,219 refugees on health, hygiene, COVID-19 prevention and response, emergency preparedness, and a range of general protection issues. UNHCR established and capacitated community networks of 800 imams and 328 female religious teachers with the aim of promoting community-based solutions to needs. UNHCR’s legal assistance services were expanded to cover all 34 camps, allowing further engagement with relevant authorities and the expansion of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism in non-criminal cases. Continuous registration was ongoing in 2020, although COVID-19 restrictions resulted in a backlog, which will be addressed in 2021.
Given the projected impact of the pandemic in Cox’s Bazar district, particularly the refugee community, UNHCR established two Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Isolation and Treatment centres for refugees and the host community – which have now treated 649 COVID-19 patients – and supported the ICU expansion and PPE provision of Cox’s Bazar’s district hospital. Demonstrating their capacities to support their own communities, over 17,000 refugees took part in mask making training for the community coupled with awareness sessions on the importance of wearing masks in public spaces. 284 refugee and 60 local Bangladeshi women earned an income producing 510,000 face masks, provided to refugees.
Support to the host community was increased through the implementation of 24 host community solidarity projects and the provision of emergency COVID-19 cash assistance to 15,629 families. 16,887 individuals also received cash as part of the Government supported Social Safety Net project.
In late 2020, UNHCR and UNICEF signed the Blueprint Pact for Joint Action to accelerate joint efforts in line with the spirit of the Global Compact on Refugees, focused on promoting and protecting the rights of refugee children and the host communities through supporting their inclusion and access to services.
With the growing insecurity in the camp, armed police battalions took over responsibility for safety and security across the 34 camps in July. UNHCR supported the construction of accommodation and police posts in the camps along with the procurement of vehicles and other equipment to support their efficacy and minimise barriers to access to justice for refugees.