ADB's timely aid for Rohingyas

In the complex tapestry of global humanitarian crises, the plight of the Rohingya people stands out as catastrophic. For years, this persecuted community has been forcibly displaced from Myanmar, seeking refuge in Bangladesh, which has shouldered an enormous responsibility in providing shelter, care and basic services.

 

 

Recognizing the magnitude of this humanitarian obligation, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recently stepped forward with a significant commitment: a $58.6 million grant under the Asian Development Fund (ADF) and a $28.1 million concessional loan, aimed at improving infrastructure, essential services, and livelihoods for both Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Cox's Bazar.

 

 

This initiative is more than a financial intervention; it represents a commitment to human dignity, social cohesion, and sustainable development. Bangladesh has long been a refuge for those fleeing persecution, and the challenges it faces are not merely logistical but profoundly human. The ADB's support is designed to address these challenges holistically, creating conditions where displaced populations and local communities can coexist with resilience and stability.

 

 

At a signing ceremony held at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) in Dhaka, ERD Secretary Md. Shahriar Qader Siddique and ADB Country Director Hoyeon Jeong formalized the agreement. Speaking at the event, Mr. Jeong noted, "We are pleased to assist Bangladesh in strengthening stability and livelihood opportunities for displaced people from Myanmar and their host communities, while fostering social cohesion within refugee camps and the local population." His statement captures the essence of this project: it is not just about aid but about empowerment, integration, and long-term resilience.

 

 

ADB has been actively engaged in supporting displaced populations in Bangladesh since 2018, providing a total of $171.4 million in grants and loans. The current project, titled "Integrated Services and Livelihoods for Displaced People from Myanmar and Host Communities Improvement", seeks to expand on this foundation. It will enhance water, sanitation, and health services; upgrade roads and bridges; improve drainage systems; ensure food security; provide reliable electricity; and strengthen disaster resilience. The approach is both comprehensive and tailored, recognizing that the needs of the Rohingya population and host communities, while interconnected, are distinct.

 

 

For instance, in Cox's Bazar, solar-powered streetlights will be installed or replaced, sanitation facilities will be improved on Bhasan Char, and biogas production for cooking will be enhanced. Natural solutions will restore drainage canals, and food distribution centers will be constructed with special consideration for women, children, and people with disabilities. The initiative also includes the creation of multi-purpose cyclone shelters in Hatiya for host communities and the installation of mini-piped water supply systems across nine upazilas of Cox's Bazar. In water-stressed areas of Teknaf, a surface water treatment plant will be constructed in Palongkhali Union and Ukhiya, supported by a transmission pipeline. Road infrastructure improvements will enhance mobility, access to essential services, and emergency response capabilities.

 

 

From a broader perspective, this project demonstrates a vital principle in humanitarian and development work: that immediate relief and long-term resilience are not mutually exclusive but mutually reinforcing. By improving infrastructure, enhancing services, and supporting livelihoods, the project addresses the immediate needs of the displaced while laying the groundwork for sustainable stability. It also reinforces the social fabric between refugee and host communities, promoting understanding, cooperation, and shared responsibility.

 

 

Bangladesh's response to the Rohingya crisis has already been a model of international humanitarian solidarity. Yet the challenges remain enormous, and continued support is essential. While financial aid is critical, the effectiveness of these interventions depends on careful implementation, community engagement, and continuous monitoring to ensure that the benefits reach those most in need. ADB's approach reflects this understanding, emphasizing targeted, evidence-based interventions that recognize the unique vulnerabilities and capacities of both displaced populations and host communities.

 

 

In my assessment, projects such as this serve multiple purposes. Beyond the immediate humanitarian relief, they strengthen local economies, improve health and education outcomes, reduce vulnerability to natural disasters, and foster a sense of dignity and self-reliance. They offer a blueprint for how development banks, governments, and local communities can collaborate to transform crises into opportunities for sustainable growth and social cohesion.

 

 

Ultimately, the Rohingya crisis is not solely a regional challenge; it is a moral test for the global community. The ADB's commitment highlights the role of international institutions in supporting countries that demonstrate extraordinary generosity and courage in hosting displaced populations. It underscores the principle that humanitarian action and development planning can, and must, go hand in hand to create lasting solutions.

 

 

Bangladesh has demonstrated remarkable resilience, compassion, and administrative capacity in managing the Rohingya crisis. With initiatives such as the ADB-supported project, this effort is poised to become even more impactful, addressing not only immediate humanitarian needs but also fostering long-term stability, opportunity, and social harmony. The success of such endeavors depends on sustained commitment, strategic planning, and inclusive implementation, but the potential benefits-both for the displaced and for host communities-are profound.

 

 

In conclusion, the partnership between Bangladesh and ADB exemplifies how targeted development assistance can address humanitarian crises while promoting social cohesion, resilience, and dignity. It is a testament to the power of international solidarity, strategic planning, and the unwavering human commitment to protect, empower, and uplift those in the most vulnerable circumstances. Through projects like this, hope is not merely preserved-it is actively built, nurtured, and made tangible for millions who deserve nothing less.

 

The writer is a journalist with the Daily Observer and MPhil researcher