ICRC regional director to visit Rohingya camps

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regional director for Asia and the Pacific Boris Michel is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on Sunday to visit Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.

He is coming on a five-day trip, his first visit to Bangladesh since the crisis broke out in late August this year, to see for himself the humanitarian situation on the ground.

He is expected to meet with Bangladeshi authorities, senior officials from international organisations to discuss pressing humanitarian needs, challenges and the way forward, according to a statement.

Michel will also undertake field trips and be part of ICRC’s joint response with the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) for the newly arrived people from Myanmar living currently in the district.

“We have all seen the figures, the numbers are staggering yet more arrive daily,” Michel said.

He said the Bangladeshi authorities, alongside hundreds of volunteers and organisations lead an enormous effort to respond to the most urgent needs of people newly arrived from Myanmar.

“However, the situation remains dire and much more needs to be done” he added.

The ICRC in association with the BDRCS is responding to the most urgent needs of the people who fled Myanmar, currently living in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar.

As of 11 November, 62,421 people received standard food and non-food items, including repeat distribution. 21,100 patients have been received health services from mobile camp while 41,600 people have been benefited from water, sanitation and hygiene interventions, said the release.