by Hafizur Rahman
Japan has signed a new agreement with UNICEF to provide 1.4 million dollars in assistance for Rohingya refugee children and families living in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, aiming to support education, health, nutrition, and essential services amid declining global humanitarian funding.
The funding is expected to benefit more than 56,500 refugees, including over 36,000 children.
The agreement was signed in Dhaka by the Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh and the UNICEF Representative.
According to officials, the support will focus on strengthening access to education, improving clean water and sanitation facilities, enhancing nutrition services, and expanding healthcare for mothers and children.
Japan stated that the assistance comes at a time when global humanitarian resources are shrinking, and emphasized the need to protect vulnerable children and help refugee families maintain dignity.
UNICEF noted that Rohingya children continue to face serious risks, including disease, malnutrition, and limited access to education. The new funding aims to keep children healthy, in school, and engaged in learning and skills development.
Under the agreement, UNICEF will expand access to the Myanmar Curriculum on Bhasan Char and support education and skills training programs for adolescents in Cox’s Bazar.
The project will also improve water and sanitation systems to help reduce the spread of diseases such as cholera and dengue. Families will receive hygiene supplies, including soap and menstrual hygiene materials.
Health services for mothers and children will be strengthened, including treatment for child malnutrition and care for newborns.
Since 2017, Japan has contributed more than 250 million dollars to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, including significant funding channeled through UNICEF.
