The Republic of Korea has provided the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with USD 5 million to improve the living conditions for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar.
This generous contribution from the Republic of Korea will provide critical assistance to more than 420,000 Rohingya refugees who continue to live in highly congested camps eight years into the crisis. The funding will enable IOM to deliver life-saving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services across seven camps and ensure sustained access to clean cooking fuel for refugees through the regular distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to 41,500 refugee families in 17 camps.
Support from the Republic of Korea to IOM will improve the reliability and safety of water and sanitation facilities in the camps, enhance hygiene promotion, and ensure that vulnerable groups including women, girls, the elderly and persons with disabilities have access to safe, dignified and inclusive WASH services.
The project will also address the cooking fuel needs of Rohingya households. The distribution of LPG is a vital element of support for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar providing clean cooking fuel that contributes to food security and nutrition, reduces deforestation, lowers health risks, and strengthens protection for vulnerable groups, including women and girls who face gender-based violence when collecting firewood.
H.E. Mr. Park Young-sik, Ambassador of the Republic of the Korea to Bangladesh, said: “This year, Korea has continued to stand firmly in its humanitarian support for the Rohingya in Bangladesh.”
“Our assistance — including USD 10 million in funding as well as an additional large shipment of rice — reflects Korea’s unwavering dedication to supporting those affected and addressing their needs. In addition, Korea remains committed to collaborating with international partners and local stakeholders to aid both Rohingya refugees and host communities, while also promoting sustainable solutions for the future.”
Appreciating the Republic of Korea’s continued solidarity with Rohingya refugees and their host communities, IOM Bangladesh Chief of Mission Lance Bonneau said: “This contribution directly supports the safety, dignity and resilience of communities reliant on humanitarian aid for their daily needs.”
“The Republic of Korea has been a long-standing partner in the Rohingya response, supporting protection, health, and other essential services. This latest commitment reflects its continued engagement in promoting humanitarian well-being and stability in Cox’s Bazar.”
Since the beginning of the emergency in August 2017, Korea has been a steady supporter of the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh.
_For more information, please contact Tarek Mahmud, Senior Media and Communication Associate of IOM Bangladesh, at email: [email protected] or phone: +880 01752 380 240
Editor’s Note about IOM’s Rohingya Crisis Response:
IOM has been present in Cox’s Bazar since 2010 when coordination began with the Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on the repatriation and third-country resettlement of refugees from Myanmar living in official camps in Cox’s Bazar. In 2013, IOM’s work expanded to primary healthcare and improving WASH infrastructure and services for both refugees and vulnerable host communities. Since the large-scale influx of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh in 2017, IOM has been managing approximately 17 of the 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar, covering about half of the population in need. Alongside UNHCR, IOM leads camp management and coordination and shelter provision in the Rohingya response and plays a leading role in other humanitarian domains including WASH, Health, Protection, Skills Development, Livelihoods and Social Cohesion, and Needs and Population Monitoring. Through robust partnerships with national and local stakeholders, IOM ensures the effective delivery of emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and resilience-building initiatives in line with the needs of both Rohingya refugees and host communities.
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