UNHCR, in cooperation with TAI, has trained some 68 COMs, including 25 women, on SGBV identification, prevention and response in two areas of Kutupalong and in Nayapara’s makeshift settlement. More COMs will receive the same training in two other areas of Kutupalong in the coming week. In coordination with UNFPA, UNHCR, together with the Camp in Charges (CiCs) of six areas of Kutupalong settlement, including the makeshift, is developing a cohesive SGBV referral pathway that will assist SGBV survivors to safely reach professionals and institutions who are qualified to address their needs.

UNHCR welcomes the generous contribution of USD 1,250,000 from the Government of Japan, which will be crucial in enabling UNHCR to enhance its support of refugees over the course of 2021. In addition to supporting access to primary healthcare and education, this funding will go towards the implementation of livelihoods activities, such as the provision of technical and vocational training and support to small businesses and workshops for refugees in Iran. In turn, refugees can then positively contribute to the Iranian host community during their stay, and further utilize their new skills in their country of origin, once conditions become conductive for their safe and dignified voluntary return. Japan is one of the biggest donors to UNHCR in support of Afghan refugees.

UNHCR teams continue to conduct protection monitoring and to identify protection incidents in settlements, facilitated by the use of complaint boxes and a hotline service that is open seven days a week. This week, UNHCR received almost 40 calls through the hotline, related to issues of family disputes, medical assistance, and violence. A tracking incidents system has been established and since the launch of the hotline on 3 January and 20 January, some 63 calls were referred to the appropriate services.

UNHCR teams conducted a mapping of latrine and tube wells in two zones of Kutupalong to analyze the distribution of facilities in the zones and better assess whether coverage is sufficient in the area. So far, over 200 WASH facilities have been mapped. This exercise has shown an urgent need for desludging and for additional latrines. UNHCR and partners are already planning the constructions of 10 latrines and four tube wells in one zone of Kutupalong. These will cater for 500 and 2,000 people respectively.

UNHCR is extremely concerned by the rapid escalation of conflict in Afghanistan. Amid intensified clashes in Nimruz province in the country’s south-west, nearly two hundred Afghan refugees have been forced to flee to the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is estimated that since the beginning of the year nearly 400,000 Afghans have been internally displaced within the country – some 244,000 since May alone. UNHCR urges the Iranian authorities to keep the Milak border crossing open in light of the intensifying humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Not doing so may put thousands of lives at risk. In cooperation with the Iran’s Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs (BAFIA), UNHCR has already provided immediate assistance to new arrivals, including food and water. Together with other humanitarian actors, UNHCR is prepared to provide urgent assistance and support reception arrangements – including emergency shelter, latrines and other core relief items.

UNHCR is expanding its community outreach into the new settlements and makeshift sites by identifying and setting up networks of trained community outreach members (COMs) to strengthen two-way communication, follow-up on persons with specific needs, carry out community-led solutions, and engage in prevention.

UNHCR identified sites to build five additional health centres, as planned in its emergency response plan. Two centres are under construction and already providing some services, such as outpatient and maternity services. The five health centres will benefit approximately 50,000 patients each, thus covering a total 250,000 refugees.

UNHCR hosted a gathering with political leaders from four continents, including Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Turkey and the World Bank at the UN General Assembly High Level Week in support of the global compact on refugees, a robust and systematic model to improve the lives of refugees and their host communities. The High Commissioner praised the role of host countries as first responders to refugee emergencies, like Bangladesh. The compact is expected to be endorsed in December 2018.

UNHCR has just completed the first phase of Rohingya refugee family counting, where more than half a million refugees from Myanmar have so far been counted. Going from shelter to shelter, more than 100 UNHCR-hired enumerators have so far gathered data on more than 120,000 families. In the innovative and revealing family counting exercise, UNHCR teams found that one-third of the families are vulnerable.

UNHCR has delivered five humanitarian airlifts which were loaded with supplied such as tents, plastic sheets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and kitchen sets. A sixth airlift is being scheduled.