New USAID program to help communities affected by Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh

In a bid to support communities impacted by the Rohingya refugee crisis, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’affaires Tracey Jacobson, alongside Honorable Adviser for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan, launched the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Host and Impacted Community Resilience Activity in Bangladesh. 

This new program aims to improve the lives of people in Cox’s Bazar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, where local communities have been facing the consequences of the ongoing crisis.

The program will be run by Friends in Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB) and focuses on providing job skills training, creating new economic opportunities, and improving access to clean water and proper sanitation. 

Additionally, it will help these communities prepare for and deal with the effects of natural disasters, which are a constant threat in the region. 

One of the program’s goals is to unite both host and affected communities with local authorities to protect over 35,000 hectares of land and preserve valuable natural resources.

Ambassador Tracey Jacobson stressed the importance of working together to find long-term solutions. 

“Developing sustainable solutions requires us to work together and leverage local expertise to lead the way. This is why we are bringing together partners from government, business, civil society, and most importantly – community members – and equipping them with the skills and resources they need to build brighter and more prosperous futures for themselves,” she said.

This initiative is part of the U.S. government’s ongoing support for Bangladesh’s host communities, with over $2.5 billion in assistance provided for the regional Rohingya response since August 2017. 

More than $2.1 billion of that amount has been dedicated to supporting both refugees and the local communities that have been directly impacted by the crisis.

FIVDB will be working with a consortium of partners to implement the program. 

This includes organizations such as Nature Conservation Management (NACOM), DevWorks International, Helen Keller International, Christian Aid, and the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation. 

Local organizations from the Chittagong Hill Tracts, including ANANDO, ASHIKA Development Associates, and Bolipara Nari Kalyan Somity, will also be involved to ensure the program is effectively implemented on the ground.

The program is expected to have a lasting impact on the region, providing the resources and training needed to help affected communities thrive in the face of adversity.