UNICEF representative in Bangladesh, Rana Flower told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that children were facing the worst level in the world’s largest refugee camp for refugees arriving in Bangladesh after being displaced from Myanmar on the 21st. “
Talking to Dhaka Kaka, Rana Flower said that in Cox’s Market camps last month, the number of children suffering from severe rapid malnutrition increased by more than 2 percent, compared to February 2021. In this number, more than 38 children under the age of five were entered into healthcare for emergency care.
Death that can be stopped
Representative of UNICEF said that if additional resources were not confirmed, only half of the children would get treatment this year and this situation would be risky for about 7,000 children. In this situation, the rate of disease and death is expected to increase.
More than a million people who have been taken out of their home for many years after the brutal military action in Myanmar has taken refuge in Bangladesh who have no citizenship of any country. About 5 lakh Rohinja refugees live in the market camp in Cox’s.
Rana flowers highlighted a lot of “crisis” that has caused malnutrition to increase. Among them, there was an unusual long, monsoon season of 2024, which made the situation worse in refugee camps. It spreads deadly diarrhea and cholera and dengue disease in children.
On the other hand, violence on the border has promoted more displacement and the availability of food items has decreased.
Now, the global support crisis has brought refuge families to the “excess frustration” door.
Rana Flower said, “The lack of food items has reached an important level.”
“According to the World Food Program, if the immediate amount is not available, the amount of food items will soon be less than half, that is, only $ 6 per month, which is much less than the initial nutritional requirement.”
She emphasized that pregnant and breastfeeding mothers would be the most vulnerable to their children.
Myanmar is still not safe
UNICEF’s representative Rana Flower emphasized that these families could not return home safely in Myanmar “.
The United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner to Bholkar, Bholaka, said in the Turk Human Rights Council just ten days ago that Myanmar was trapped in one of the worst human rights crisis in the world.
He condemned Myanmar’s army propaganda to terrorize the population through additional cruelty activities.
Rana Flower says that Rohinja refugees in Bangladesh have no legal right to work, which is why they depend on help.
He emphasized, “Human aid is not an option. It’s necessary.”
UN Secretary -General Antonio Gutresh, during Ramadan, is going to travel to Bangladesh later this week and will meet Rohinja refugees in Cox’s Bazaar as part of his annual Ramadan solidarity journey.
Impact of restriction on money assistance
Asked about the impact of a big concession on the US -assisting US assistance, Rana Flowers said that earlier this year, UNICEF received a humanitarian exemption for US foreign assistance.
“It can use the treatment prepared for the treatment and treatment of very sick children who suffer from severe malnutrition, but we need both discounts and real money to continue this work.”
He emphasized that the money for the agency services for the child malnutrition and treatment, the money will end in June 2025.
The US Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that the USAID’s program would end about 5 percent of the program.
Rana Flower says “Other financial assistance for Bangladesh has been canceled”, which is about a quarter of UNICEF’s Rohinja refugee assistance.
He said that without money, “services for these children will be greatly reduced, which will put their existence, protection and future in danger”.