ADB, Bangladesh Sign USD 58.6m Grant Agreement for Rohingya Infrastructure

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Bangladesh on Monday signed agreements worth USD 58.6 million in grants from the Asian Development Fund (ADF) and USD 28.1 million in concessional loans to improve basic infrastructure and critical services for displaced people from Myanmar and host communities in Bangladesh. 

Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of Economic Relations Division (ERD) and Hoe Yun Jeong, Country Director for Bangladesh of ADB, signed the agreements on behalf of Bangladesh and ADB, respectively, in a ceremony at the ERD office in Dhaka, source BSS. 

"We are pleased to support Bangladesh in strengthening the resilience and livelihood opportunities of displaced people from Myanmar and host communities, while fostering social cohesion between camp residents and local populations. This new assistance builds on our previous support under the Emergency Assistance Project and its additional financing, which has provided a total of $171.4 million in grants and loans to benefit both displaced persons and host communities since 2018," said Hoe Yun Jeong. 

Over 1 million displaced people from Myanmar-about 75% of whom are women and children, reside in 33 camps in Cox's Bazar. More than 36,000 have voluntarily relocated to Bhasan Char in Noakhali district.

The Integrated Services and Livelihood for Displaced People from Myanmar and Host Communities Improvement Project will enhance and expand access to water, sanitation and hygiene, roads and bridges, drainage systems, food security, energy and disaster resilience. 

Project interventions will address the distinct needs of both displaced and host populations in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char, using differentiated approaches. 

The project will also enhance connectivity and access to essential services, while strengthening government capacity to manage and implement projects, said an ADB press release.

In the DPFM camps, the project will install or replace solar-powered streetlights in Cox's Bazar, rehabilitate the fecal sludge management system in Bhasan Char, and optimize biogas production for cooking. 

In both Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char, drainage canals will be rehabilitated using nature-based solutions and food distribution centers will be constructed with a focus on improving access for women, children, and people with disabilities.

For host communities, the project will build multi-purpose cyclone shelters in Hatia and introduce mini piped water supply systems across nine upazilas (subdistricts) in Cox's Bazar. 

A surface water treatment plant will be constructed in Palongkhali Union and Ukhia, along with a transmission pipeline to deliver treated water to the water-scarce area of Teknaf. 

Road improvements in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char will enhance mobility and connectivity.