nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
[ October 2020, Bangladesh ]  Safe and easy access to health facilities is not a given for Rohingya refugees. A little over half  ( 57% )  of the Rohingya reported that they can safely and easily access health facilities since the advent of COVID 19.
As of 26 July 2020, a total of 66 COVID 19 cases among Rohingya/FDMN have been reported: five in Camp 1W, two in Camp 2E, six in Camp 2W, nine in Camp 3, one in Camp 4, one in Camp 5, ten in Camp 6, five in Camp 7, one in Camp 8E, two in Camp 8W, two in Camp 9, two in Camp 10, two in Camp 11, one in Camp 12, two in Camp 14, two in Camp 18, two in Camp 22, two in Camp 24, one in Camp 25,one in Camp 27, two in Kutupalong RC and four in Nayapara RC.
Practical support accompanied the public health information. In partnership with UNICEF, World Vision distributed 264,975 pieces of soap to 17,665 families  ( 88,325 refugees ) . We set up handwashing stations in all our field distribution points and camp facilities, including food assistance points, women's safe spaces, community kitchens and children's learning centres.
A community based surveillance initiative launched by UNHCR and WHO in the refugee settlements is yielding good results. The initiative relies on 1,440 trained Community Health Workers  ( CHWs )  who assist in identifying patients with mild and moderate respiratory illness symptoms using simple criteria. They offer individual counselling about testing, treatment, and a referral if required, including for quarantine services
370 community people from IFRP's area of intervention in Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat district received Face masks and soaps through Community Disaster Relief Emergency Fund  ( CDREF ) . In addition, 240 PIC, CDMC, CDRT and Staff members received Face Mask, Hand Gloves, Hand Sanitizer and Hand wash soap these two districts.
Solid Waste Management :1,000 people were reached through outreach activities including megaphone announcements, role play/theatre messaging over radio programmes and leaflet distributions. • 10 Community Volunteers and Waste Collection Volunteers for the host community were recruited for the COVID19 response.
Rainfall and widespread flooding due to the southwest monsoon continues to affect most of Bangladesh  ( in particular northern, north eastern, and south eastern Divisions, including the capital Dhaka )  since late June, causing more casualties and damage. For the next 24 hours, light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and strong winds is forecast across most parts of the country.
In June, due to the continued imposition of COVID 19 related restrictions against non essential activities, only certain distributions were allowed. As such, 9,363 people were provided with hygiene top up kits, menstrual hygiene management  ( MHM )  kits, shelter assistance and liquefied petroleum gas  ( LPG )  refills, through distributions conducted in the camps and the host community
Heavy rain and gusty winds over the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar this week have affected 10,117 people  ( 1,208 households ) , including 775 displaced people across 34 Rohingya refugee camps in Ukhia and Teknaf. 1,900 shelters were damaged as well as other infrastructure. Flooding has also been reported at the Bangladesh Myanmar border in Naikhongchhari Upazila of Cox's Bazar, where thousands of Rohingya refugees remain stranded.
The ongoing monsoon and COVID 19 pandemic is exacerbating the suffering of affected refugees. DG ECHO's humanitarian partners are responding with immediate assistance. More heavy rain and wind is expected for many locations in Cox's Bazar district over the next 24 hours.
In July 2020, Covid 19 affected a total of 91,164 persons across the country among which 1,264 persons died and 76,554 persons recovered. From March 08, 2020 to July 31, 2020, the total number of Covid 19 patient is 236,698 among which 3,116 persons died and 136,204 persons recovered.
During the reporting month, BDRCS with support from IFRC, the German Red Cross, Swedish Red Cross and the Swiss Red Cross, continued with the implementation of activities in camps 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 4ex, and host communities, on a limited scale due to restrictions imposed on public movement and other activities deemed non essential in the camps
Thirty eight healthcare workers received training on COVID 19 sample collection and transportation. This is part of the weekly trainings to increase capacity of sample collection in the camps. A total of 40 people were trained in the past two weeks.
Solid Waste Management  ( supported by the Swiss Red Cross ) : In June, a team of 50 people including Community Volunteers, Waste Collection Volunteers, Community Mobilizers, Waste Collection Supervisor and Manager implemented Solid Waste Management  ( SWM )  activities in Camp 15. Achievements of the month include: • 3,952 kilogrammes of waste was produced through collection, segregation, sorting for composting and marketing.
[ October 2020, Bangladesh ]  As public transport was shut down and organizing private means of transport is more expensive than usual, the cost of travel has become a barrier to accessing health care.
The Covid 19 pandemic had affected with high impacts throughout this month in all the 64 districts across Bangladesh. In July, 2020, the number of identified patients with Covid 19 is 91,164 persons among which 76,554 persons recovered and 1,264 persons died.
3,230 persons in 610 households learnt about COVID 19 prevention measures through handwashing demonstrations and other messages shared by outreach volunteers. • A total of 19 GBV and 6 child protection cases were referred to the responsible case management actors.
From the very first case identified in March 2020, the total number of Covid 19 patient is 236,698 among which 3,116 persons died and 136,204 persons recovered up to July 31, 2020
105 staff members participated in different types of training such as PGI orientation for staff and volunteers of the Integrated Isolation and Treatment Centres  ( IITC ) , and a monthly webinar on rapid gender analysis in Cox's Bazar which was conducted for PMO staff.
It is notable that 64 persons have been identified with Covid 19 in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar district1 . The number of identified cases in Bangladesh with Covid 19 is increasing as per Directorate General of Health Services  ( DGHS )  and IEDCR have increased the testing of Covid 19 at 68 labs across the country. Though government has taken steps to minimize movement of people but the situation may become worsen if health guidelines by the Director General of Health Services  ( DGHS )  are not maintained properly
The Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction  ( CDRR )  programme of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society  ( BDRCS )  continued its interventions in all 34 camps and host communities in June 2020. Under the CDRR programme, the Cyclone Preparedness Programme  ( CPP )  3 and BDRCS, with support from IFRC and the American Red Cross, implemented activities related to awareness raising, and supporting frontline volunteers in their ongoing COVID 19 and monsoon response actions.
[ 20th January 2021, Cox's Bazar ]  Refugee: A fire broke out in Nayapara Registered Refugee Camp in Cox's Bazar on 14 January. The exact cause of the fire is unknown. The camp hosts about 22,500 Rohingya refugees. 3,492 people were affected and 550 shelters, a community centre, and around 150 shops were destroyed.
A total of 45,000 people in host communities  ( six unions and Ukhiya Sadar in Ukhiya upazila )  have become aware of COVID 19 through an awareness raising activities conducted with the use of hand mikes
[ 30th May 2021, Bangladesh ]  The fast spreading and deadlier Indian variant of Covid 19 has been spotted in the samples of three more people in Bangladesh, taking the total of such cases to 23. A day ago, she had said that the country identified 20 Indian variant cases till Saturday.
7,136 people benefited from COVID 19 awareness messages disseminated through household visits. • Audio messages were delivered through hand mikes for the benefit of 8,256 persons. • 102 audio messages were disseminated through religious leaders
BDRCS, with support from IFRC and Red Cross and Red Crescent partners, completed a 4 day long orientation for new staff of the Integrated Isolation and Treatment Centres  ( IITCs ) .
[ October 2020, Bangladesh ]  Some key informants supported these findings, noting that the financial impact of Covid 19 had decreased the ability of poorer households to seek health services and be tested for the virus. Key informants also highlighted difficulties in accessing health services for non COVID 19  related illnesses, even when these were critical.
The mass people have been guided to maintain social distance in workplaces, public transports, and religious institutions and avoid any kind of public gatherings. DGHS has prepared guidelines for the organizations  ( both public and private )  to be maintained during working hours. DGHS and IEDCR have undertaken necessary steps to test Covid 19 suspected patients in the test labs across the country which have already tested 1,176,809 samples as of July 31, 2020
An easing of some lockdown measures was allowed in Cox's Bazar District. UNHCR and its partners are following guidelines set by Bangladesh's Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner  ( RRRC )  on activities that are permitted in the camps. The scope of permissible activities has been interpreted to include limited registration activities and expanded monsoon response and repair work. UNHCR and its partners continue to exercise care in conducting critical activities in the camps with a low footprint as the risk posed by the virus to the refugee community and humanitarian staff remains high
DGHS and IEDCR have opened up hotline number  ( i.e. 16263, 333, 10655, 01927711784, 01927711785, 01937000011, 01937110011 )  for consultation with doctors through phone calls which already have attended to 17,930,639 phone calls. Screening have been conducted of 792,592 persons in airports, railway stations, sea port and land ports. People  ( especially poor and ultra poor )  who are in need of foods, GoB arranged to provide food at their doorsteps by the local administrations  ( Source: DGHS Health Bulletin, July 31, 2020 ) .
UNHCR and its partners are following up on 5,000 child protection cases. The number of cases increased significantly after the COVID 19 response started. It is a serious indication of the impact and consequences of the pandemic on the refugee community. Children are exposed to heightened levels of violence, pressure to work, as well as abuse and neglect.
Between 20   26 August 2020, COVID 19 prevention messages reached 114 696 persons during 41 315 neighborhood based through CwC partners. Additionally, 42 957 Rohingya refugees received COVID 19 key messages through 9372 community consultation meetings. And finally, 4486 participated in 547 group sessions to watch 420 video/film show sessions about the new virus. Among host communities, 7998 people participated in 2315 community awareness meetings about COVID 19.
Through enhanced community based surveillance, in the past week community health workers  ( CHWs )  helped identify 3396 patients with mild symptoms of respiratory tract infections and two patients with moderate COVID like symptoms during 127 565 household visits. The cumulative number of patients identified with mild symptoms since the introduction of the activity in July is 20 699 and 114 patients with moderate/ severe symptoms. 1140 persons were referred to health facilities in the past week, from a total of 9815 to date.
As part of the operational capacity building preparedness for COVID 19 in Cox's Bazar, WHO conducted a 4 day training for Infection Prevention and Control  ( IPC )  of COVID 19 with participants from Severe Acute Respiratory Infection  ( SARI )  ITC partners and Government facilities with ongoing direct and indirect support from WHO. So far, 535 government workers and 1320 humanitarian health care workers have been trained.
In the past week, CHWs provided messages on COVID 19 to 234 061 persons. Since the beginning of the response, CHW Group conducted more than 2.21 million household visits and had contacts with a cumulative number of more than 4.17 million adult household members. In addition, small group sessions were conducted for 35 346 persons.Messages include information about COVID 19 symptoms, risk factors and quarantine and isolation/ treatment centers.
Sexual and gender based violence  ( SGBV )  continues to persist in the camps, especially intimate partner violence. The overall situation is having a severe impact on the health and well being of women and girls particularly, including a worrying rise in girls talking about suicide. Child marriage continues to be of concern, affecting adolescent boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 17 years old. There is also an increased number of teenage pregnancies
As of 30 August 2020, a total of 101 COVID 19 cases have been reported among Rohingya: 3 cases from Kutupalong RC, 3 from camp 1E, 7 from camp 1W, 4 from camp 2E, 9 from camp 2W, 12 from camp 3, 3 from camp 4, 2 in camp 5, 13 from camp 6, 7 from camp 7, 1 from camp 8E, 2 from camp 8W, 2 from camp 9, 3 from camp 10, 2 from camp 11, 1 from camp 12, 2 from camp 14, 1 from camp 15, 1 from camp 16, 1 from camp 17, 2 from camp 18, 2 from camp 21, 2 from camp 22, 6 from camp 24, 1 from camp 25, 2 from camp 26, 2 from camp 27 and 5 from Nayapara RC
WHO has trained 83 health care workers including doctors and nurses on Clinical Case management of COVID 19 at four Upazila Health Complexes. So far, 132 government workers and 503 humanitarian health care workers have been trained.
Reports were received from 125,599 household visits, in which 2,443 patients were identified with mild respiratory symptoms  ( fever, sore throat, cough )  and 9 patients were identified with moderate COVID like symptoms. 1,146 persons were referred to health facilities. The work of CHWs has contributed to an increase also in the uptake of COVID 19 testing within the community   from less than 5 cases/day previously to an average of 65 tests daily these days.
750 people were reached through Eid Gift Package comprising rice, potato, sugar, salt, oil, vermicelli, and noodles )  by Habinganj district Unit. Besides, 50 COVID 19 positive patients were reached with fruit packages through local donations collected by RCY members from different source.
According to the assessments, the floods aggravated the impact of COVID 19 and, 93% of the people's livelihood have been badly hit. Economic activities are significantly hampered in 90 percent of the unions  ( “union' is the lowest administrative unit in Bangladesh )  surveyed and 62% reported need for food assistance. An irregularity of food intake and skipped/reduced daily meal to cope with the devastating situation have been reported in almost 80% of the unions
Refugees have also been affected by the lockdowns, for example with reduced access to vegetable markets. UNHCR partners, CNRS and Mukti Cox's Bazar, are assisting the agency to roll out support to refugees to grow food, including by means of hanging gardens. CNRS completed a distribution of vegetable seeds to 3,400 refugee households, and Mukti Cox's Bazar started training over 1,330 refugee households on vegetable production and support with seeds. The initiative is especially targeted to support vulnerable households.
WHO continues its support to the Field Laboratory of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research  ( IEDCR )  in the Cox's Bazar Medical College comprising human resources, equipment, supplies/consumables and technical and operational expertise. From early April until 30 August 2020, a total of 35,295 laboratory tests for COVID 19 have been conducted, of which 29,759 from Cox's Bazar district. The remainder are from Bandarban and Chittagong districts.
WHO provided expertise and structural support on air flow and ventilation for patients to IFRC SARI ITCs. Daily distribution of COVID 19 related items to government agencies and implementing partners continue.
Screening in the 19 targeted points of entry   now fully operational  continues. As of 26 July 2020, a total of 109 525 individuals were screened and 115 found febrile. Point of entry screeners educate humanitarian personnel, host community and FDMN/Rohingya refugees on COVID 19 warning signs, and provide counselling on facial mask wearing and hand hygiene.
12,063 LPG refills were provided to host community households, of a total of 139,073 refills since the beginning of the program in April 2019. 277 shelters received repair and maintenance assistance in the host communities in Ukhiya.
Currently, 39 refugees are under quarantine at four quarantine facilities managed by UNHCR in Ukhiya and Teknaf. These facilities offer space for refugees to stay when they have had close contact with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID 19.
BDT 10,915,000  ( USD 126,705 )  distributed as Multipurpose Cash Grants  ( MPCG )  among 2,863 families in Gaibandha and Gazipur districts.
[ 8th December 2020, Bangladesh ]  The DGHS said 17,200 samples were collected from suspected Covid 19 patients in the last 24 hours. As many as 17,084 samples were tested in the 137 authorized labs   government and private   across the country and 2,202 new patients were confirmed.
8,000 families reached in 8 districts through food and hygiene kits distribution with the financial support of BDT 7.48 million  ( USD 90,000 )  from HSBC Bank.
In Cox's Bazar, and despite all efforts, routine immunization coverage remains low among Rohingya refugees and has further declined since COVID 19.
319 new latrines were constructed, and 128 were decommissioned out of a total of 62,862 existing latrines. 314 new bathing facilities were constructed, and 2,304 were maintained, out of a total of 21,030 existing bathing facilities.
69,266 households received soap and 5,826 households received hygiene kits. 106 hand washing stations  ( HWS )  were installed at public spaces, 3,608 HWS near latrine blocks for both shared and communal use, and 37,311 HWS at household level.
Partners provided WASH items for patients in isolation wards in seven health/isolation centres  ( body and laundry soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, sanitary napkins, and a bucket ) .
34 water points were built to ensure safe water service to 8,500 host community members. An average of 36,000 public buildings and WASH facilities were disinfected every week in the camps and host communities. 24 HWS were installed in public places.
During the week, testing of refugees continued to increase: 434 refugees were tested, compared to 357 in the previous week. In host communities, testing dropped with 290 tests conducted compared to 379 the previous week. This is likely to be related to the recent introduction of a fee for sample collection in Government health facilities.
15,728 adolescents received peer to peer support, and awareness activities on child protection impacts associated with COVID 19 and emergencies were conducted in the refugee camps.
WASH Sector partners reached 256,271 individuals through a neighbourhood based approach and 226,087 individuals through mass outreach with COVID 19 awareness messages in host and Rohingya communities. In the camps, partners provided soap to 37,990 households and family hygiene kits to 18,380 households, and installed 13,486 hand washing stations: 18 in public places, 8 near latrine blocks, 1,508 tippy taps  ( a cost effective hands free device for handwashing )  and 11,992 stools  ( with a bucket and tap )  at household level
Due to travel restrictions and visa issues as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, it has proved difficult to mobilise adequate numbers of ETS staff to support the operation.
Partners disinfected 59,841 WASH facilities and 3,128 public buildings. 5 new handwashing stations were installed at camp entry points, bringing the total of handwashing stations at camp entry points to 112.
141,264 Liquid Petroleum Gas  ( LPG )  refills were provided in July of a total of more than two million LPG refills that have been delivered in regular cycles since the beginning of the programme in April 2019
16,150 specific NFI kits were provided to households with older persons. 75 NFI kits including blankets, floor mats, mosquito nets, solar lamps, and kitchen utensils were provided to refugees staying at quarantine centres.
750 vulnerable families received food package containing 7.5 Kg rice, 01 Kg lentil, 01 liter edible oil, 01kg sugar, 0.5 Kg semolina and 01 empty sack at Patuakhali Sadar and Mirjaganj sub district of Patuakhali district.
2,400 low income people received food package at different areas of Barisal City Corporation, Holin Berry Sayed Moazzem Hossen Hospital and Hijla sub district of Barishal district under Vulnerability to Resilience  ( V2R )  Urban project during lockdown due to COVID 19.
6,966 partial shelter assistance distributions and repair and maintenance were provided to assist households whose shelters were in poor conditions and had not received assistance for a year or more. 7,897 households received tarpaulins to provide protection from leaking roofs.
The ICRC further extended its support to the PD by setting up three focal COVID 19 isolation facilities, reflected in the technical cooperation, the management of infrastructure and services in Feni and Kishoreganj isolation centres. The support includes designing and implementing the rehabilitation of the centres, providing technical support to establish guidelines and implementing infection prevention and control measures. Basic medical and sanitation equipment, as well as furniture, have also been provided.
28 mid term shelters were completed in July in two camps, reaching a total of 7,652 mid term shelters constructed since 2018. 126 households received mid term shelter maintenance assistance in three camps
The ICRC has focused its activities in prisons due to their particular vulnerability in the face of a pandemic, and its priority has been to help prevent the spread of COVID 19 among the detainees and staff. Infection prevention and control measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus have been key, and the ICRC team has developed guidelines, training sessions and standard operational procedures in line with the National Preparedness and Response Plan.
2367 people benefitted through awareness sessions and key messages on parenting and childcare, Sexual and Gender based Violence  ( SGBV ) , and Prevention against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse  ( PSEA )  at Population Movement Operation  ( PMO )
Dhaka  ( ICRC )  – The International Committee of the Red Cross  ( ICRC )  continues to support the Prisons Directorate  ( PD )  in Bangladesh amid COVID 19 to help mitigate the risk of the spread of coronavirus infection among detainees and its staff members.Under this project, the ICRC donated five tents for housing guards, set up hygiene facilities and power supply, while supporting the centre with disinfection materials and personal protection equipment  ( PPE ) .
[ October 2020, Bangladesh ]  Stigma and discrimination hinder transgender persons' access to health. Violence and discrimination at health facilities was reported.
A radio show organized with Radio Bhumi 92.8 FM on “CORONA SHONGLAP and LISTEN TO COMMUNITY'. Approximately 8500 people reached by this program
Site Management Site Development  ( SMSD )  Sector partners disseminated COVID 19 prevention and awareness messaging to over 100,000 refugees in July.
Partners organised orientation sessions and distributed materials on safe and dignified burials to over 1,000 Rohingya refugees, including women and persons with specific needs. SMSD Sector partners coordinated with Health partners and the refugee community to ensure a safe and dignified burial for the sixth confirmed COVID 19 death in the camp.
In late July, SMSD teams worked across Sectors and with Camps in Charge  ( CiCs )  to prepare the camps for a safe and hygienic Eid celebration, particularly in the COVID 19 context, including digging disposal pits, providing tarps, and building temporary abattoirs for animal slaughtering, and supporting physical distancing during distributions. Disaster Management Unit volunteers also supported with hygiene interventions and crowd control.
WHO is also supporting the expansion of the district laboratory for increased testing among Rohingya and host communities. The current daily capacity is of 1,000 samples and the goal is to reach 2000 in the coming weeks. The laboratory is supporting Chittagong, Bandarban and Cox's Bazar districts. In total, 25 794 tests have been conducted.
During July, Community Outreach Members conducted visits to more than 1,937 households reaching over 8,777 refugees. Since March, the Community Outreach Members have conducted 31,483 community awareness sessions on issues related to COVID 19, reaching over 132,151 people. Approximately 20 per cent of those reached were older persons and some 2 per cent were persons with disabilities.
As part of the operational capacity building to enhance preparedness for COVID 19 in Cox's Bazar, WHO continues to support partners as cofacilitators on a cascade of trainings conducted remotely and on site. To date, WHO conducted 4 days trainings for Infection, Prevention and Control  ( IPC )  of COVID 19 to 1523 humanitarian health care workers from Severe Acute Respiratory Infection  ( SARI )  ITC partners and Government facilities as well as 766 government workers from six Upazilas.
[ October 2020, Bangladesh ]  Most boys and girls  ( 61% )  do not know where to seek health services. Almost two thirds  ( 61% )  know what COVID 19 is and one third  ( 37% )  find information related to COVID 19 difficult to understand.
Since August 2020, IPC supportive supervision visits have been conducted in 12 facilities including 3 Upazila Health Complexes. The visits are a follow up to assessments carried out between February and April 2020.
WHO is supporting partners with IPC tools and checklists to monitor and track daily cleaning within health care facilities and track improvements on a regular basis. Five health facilities were provided with supportive supervisions in camps 1E, 1W and 3.
As of 30 August 2020, 14 SARI ITCs are active and can receive patients. The Intensive Care Unit/High Dependency Unit Facility at Sadar Hospital with ten ICU and eight HDU beds is also operational. There are 581 Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Isolation and Treatment Facilities  ( SARI ITCs )  and 67 isolation active beds in the camps.
As a part of WHO's support to all Upazilas in Cox's Bazar, 125 health care workers have been trained on Clinical Case Management of COVID 19 covering six Upazila Health complexes: Ukhiya, Teknaf, Ramu, Mohashkhali, Chokoria and Pekua
WHO continues to provide guidance regarding the operation and sustaining of immunization programs in the context of COVID 19.
VPD surveillance is being closely monitored by government authorities with the support of the WHO SIMO network and EWARS, available data indicates a reduction in the number of reported cases. SIMOs and Health field monitors  ( HFMs )  are continuously visiting the health facilities for VPD surveillance, monitoring and investigation.
WHO continues to support the transport of test kit supplies from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar and transport of COVID 19 samples from the camps. WHO has provided two dedicated vehicles to the IEDCR Field laboratory. In addition, two vehicles are part of the Dispatch and Referral Unit  ( DRU )  fleet pool for ambulance support transportation of mild COVID 19 patients.
WHO supported the IEDCR Field Laboratory in Cox's Bazar Medical College acquire a third PCR machine to improve its testing capacity up to 1500 COVID 19 suspected cases' samples every day.
A total of 3617 COVID 19 positive cases have been reported in Cox's Bazar district, of which 78 in the Rohingya refugee camps.
BDRCS continues providing awareness raising and life saving messages on COVID 19 through social media. The total reach through different posts altogether in the social media accounts counted 1,709,000+ up to 30 July 2020 consisting facebook  ( 1,400,000+ ) , twitter  ( 150,000+ )  and viber  ( 159,000+ ) . .
[ 22 March   6 April 2021, Cox's Bazar ]  The fire that broke out in the Kutupalong camps on 22 March destroyed more than 87% of camp 9; 37% of camp 8W; and 23% of camp 8E. The unusually dry weather resulted in quick spread of the fire. Most tarpaulin and bamboo made infrastructures are in ashes, with only skeletal structures standing. It is crucial to improve fire prevention mechanism, including mass awareness in the camps and host communities.
A total of 118 COVID 19 samples were transported for COVID 19 testing by a Nutrition Sector partner in Moheshkali. In addition, 10,356 Information Education and Communication  ( IEC )  materials on COVID 19 were distributed in the host community
Protection partners reached approximately 11,600 refugees through COVID 19 awareness messaging, while Community Outreach Members  ( COMs )  conducted 372 home visits and 138 monitoring assessments reaching 1,809 refugees.
Shelter/NFI Sector provided NFI packages, including blankets, floor mats, mosquito nets, tarpaulins, rope, and some solar lamps, to 3,090 households with older persons, and home delivered NFIs to 5 households without caretakers ( of a total of 28,325 households with older persons ) . Shelter/NFI Sector partners also distributed 19 NFI packages including blankets, floor mats, mosquito nets, solar lamps, and kitchen utensils to two quarantine centres in the camps.
4,429 face masks were produced during the week by refugees trained by COMs. A virtual training on child protection risks during COVID 19 was conducted for 17 Child Protection  ( CP )  Focal Points from 17 camps. GBV partners reached 6,322 refugees  ( 2,603 males / 3,719 females )  through awareness raising on GBV and COVID 19.
1,989 mothers were trained on how to measure the Mid Upper Arm Circumference of their children Partners also counselled 1,257 Rohingya and 3,545 Bangladeshi mothers and caregivers on infant and young child feeding practices in emergencies, including in the COVID 19 context.to identify malnutrition in order to refer children to an integrated nutrition facility
Between 30 July   05 August 2020, CwC partners approached 67 787 people in the FDMN/Rohingya camps to provide COVID 19 information. In total, 24 163 neighbourhood based sessions and 6608 community meetings reached 17 502 people with key messages on COVID 19 prevention. Furthermore, 1529 people participated in 223 group sessions and in 178 film sessions. Among host communities, 2196 people participated in 672 community awareness meetings on COVID 19.
112,241 parents, community members and caregivers received COVID 19 awareness messages, of whom 55,033 individuals also received practical training on hand washing, physical distancing and using masks through small group sessions. 1,221 refugee volunteers, more than half of whom were female, disseminated COVID 19 awareness and home based learning instructions to parents, community members and caregivers.
All points of entry are operational for temperature screening and hand washing. A training is planned for 13 August 2020 for educators, so they too can be present at camp entry points and offer information and help to educate people on hygiene measures, testing, isolation and quarantine. The Education Sector joins the Health, WASH, Shelter and Site Management partnership in making the points of entry functional.
Bangladesh and Myanmar feature among countries with “very high or extreme constraints' impeding humanitarian access to vulnerable populations. Bangladesh is one of the countries most vulnerable to Covid 19 impacts, and up to 37% of the total population of Cox's Bazar could be exposed to critical food insecurity  ( IPC phase 4 )  or worse. WFP has warned of a “hunger pandemic' alongside the Covid 19 pandemic, yet less than half of the refugees' food security requirements have been funded.
The Health Sector together with CWC Working Group developed a joint strategy which aims to encourage refugees to come forward for testing and provide accurate information to refugees regarding COVID 19 testing and treatment, contact tracing and different care options.
Compounding this, whilst an additional US$ 181 million has been sought to support 1.8 million people2 in the area affected by Covid 19, that response has focussed on three sectors, and up to a third of funds for pre existing humanitarian needs have been put on hold allegedly due to concerns that Covid 19 will impede operations.
UNHCR is one among a number of other UN agencies and NGOs offering assistance to the people of Cox's Bazar and refugees through health facilities, in support of the Bangladesh health authorities in Cox's Bazar. To date, the health services put in place have had sufficient capacity to support all patients with COVID 19 and provide medical assistance.
To date, over 210 people have received treatment in two UNHCR supported Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Isolation and Treatment Centres  ( SARI ITCs )  in Ukhiya and Kutupalong in Cox's Bazar. Patients include refugees and members of the host community.
In the midst of the pandemic, some refugees in Cox's Bazar have also expressed concerns with the renewed discourse regarding potential relocation to Bhasan Char. They are anxious about separation from family members and social networks, and the uncertainty over the prospect of moving to a new living environment where their knowledge of services and conditions is limited.
Until now the treatment of COVID 19 cases in the camps has been managed on site in health facilities that UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies established. However, some refugees are reluctant to seek treatment in facilities, which for many is based on a fear of being separated from family.
COVID 19 testing capacity has increased to 1,500 samples per day following human resources and equipment support from the humanitarian community to the IEDCR Field Laboratory at Cox's Bazar Medical College.
Refugees in Cox's Bazar have not only had to contend with fleeing from conflict, but recent floods, monsoons, landslides and now Covid 19. 33% of people living in these camps do not own soap and lack water, making regularly handwashing difficult. Their cramped conditions and paltry access to basic infrastructure also impede safe distancing and hygiene measures
[ 23 June 2021, Bangladesh ]  The country's vulnerability to disasters is associated with poor human development indicators, increased population in urban areas, poor enforcement of building codes, and climate change. Over 80 per cent of the total population of Nepal is at risk from natural hazards, such as floods, landslides, windstorms, hailstorms, fires, earthquakes, and glacial lake outburst floods  ( Ministry of Home Affairs, 2018 ) .
Overall, 374 number of WASH surveys were conducted. The survey tried to capture top water, sanitation and hygiene related issues refugees are facing during the COVID 19 pandemic. Negative coping mechanisms were reported for lack of water such as relying on less preferred  ( unimproved )  sources of water sources for drinking, which can increase the risk of diseases like cholera or acute watery diarrhea  ( AWD ) , which are already prevalent in the camps. Another concerning coping mechanism is the reduction in hygiene practices such as bathing and handwashing
2 Access to markets to make quick fixes or to supplement the materials provided to them may not be possible at present due to restrictions on movements. Moreover, containment measures like physical distancing and isolation due to COVID 19 could contribute to already existing structural problems such as overcrowding  ( the shelters are small and shared by an average of 5 6 family members ) .
The WASH sector plays a critical role in COVID 19 prevention measures for example by making sufficient water available for refugees to practice hand washing, availability of hygiene items like soap etc. Regardless of consistent efforts made by the WASH sector to provide safe water in sufficient quantities, facilities for sanitation and hygiene practices, refugees continue to report on issues around water, sanitation, and hygiene. The IVR system received the highest number of recorded messages related to problems accessing WASH services and facilities.
As a containment measure for the spread of COVID 19 in the camps, the frequency of food distributions was changed from twice monthly to monthly. This was done to minimize exposure and crowding in the distribution sites that may have facilitated spread of the virus. Rohingya refugees are now given a full month's entitlement once a month and e vouchers continued to be a fixed package of food that is estimated to meet the daily nutritional requirements.
In addition, the health crisis has affected the district's response to human trafficking, shifting priorities to support COVID 19 prevention and containment measures. This shift may increase the risk of human trafficking to vulnerable communities while making it more difficult for key stakeholders to identify and assist victims and for authorities to investigate the crime according to the national law.
Human trafficking has been acknowledged to occur before, during and as a consequence of disasters and other humanitarian crises. Cox's Bazar district is prone to such disasters, and it is temporarily hosting more than one million Rohingya who fled violence from Myanmar. The health crisis caused by COVID 19 has further created new challenges to the district's context.
2,560 COVID 19 awareness leaflets were distributed through the Out of School Children Program in the host community ; 150 teachers and 11 staff were oriented on COVID 19 awareness; 77 staff and teachers were provided with PPE kits, including masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers; 200 beneficiary households are aided with BDT 1500 cash and among them  ( 120 are in Ukhia and 80 in Teknaf. ) .
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Bangladesh has experienced 213,254 cases and 2,751 deaths from COVID 19 and 62 cases and 6 deaths from COVID 19 have been confirmed in the Rohingya refugee camps as of July 22, 2020.
As of 4 April, all but essential activities have been suspended in all 34 refugee camps. Due to these restrictions, shops and markets are closed, except for specific kitchen markets supplying food in the camps. The extremely high population density in the camps as well as poor WASH facilities made worse by the start of the monsoon are increasing older peoples' risks of contracting COVID 19
CwC WG partners reached 191,174 people in the camps and host community with key COVID 19 messages disseminated through community engagement activities, including 42,835 neighbourhood based sessions, 13,329 community consultation meetings, 1,363 group listening sessions, 413 video/film viewings, and an additional 9,555 sessions led by religious leaders. Partners organised 37 cascade trainings on COVID 19 with 289 staff and volunteers
Three years on from the escalation of violence in August 2017 which triggered one of the fastest growing refugee crises in the world and the flight of 671,000 Rohingya from Rakhine in Myanmar to Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, the additional humanitarian needs due to Covid 19 makes fulfilling these promises all the more urgent.
10% of older people surveyed do not know where is the nearest health facility which treats older people for COVID 19
During the COVID 19 pandemic, there is evidence that people living with NCDs are more at risk of becoming severely ill or dying from the virus. COVID 19 and NCDs together are impacting the poorest communities and the most vulnerable people in Cox's Bazar.
All 18 points of entry sites continue to screen for fever and enforce hand washing at strategic locations throughout the camps. Temperature screeners, educators and WASH volunteers work together as a team to educate, refer and sensitize the Rohingya, host community and humanitarian workers. As of 29 August 2020, 281 000 individuals have been screened at the point of entries across the camps.
Christian Aid has raised three concerns. Firstly, humanitarian need, pre existing and outside the Covid 19 response, is higher due to the lack of continuing services. For example, ensuring that infrastructure is safe and roads are maintained remains essential, the need for humanitarian protection services has increased, as has the need for more neighbourhood based water, sanitation and health facilities.s. For those living in camps, continued support for every sector is critical.
Secondly, community organisations inside the camps, including faith based organisations, should be supported to continue flanking humanitarian measures, and thirdly, as the operational environment is considered conducive to conducting interventions for the COVID 19 response, then other humanitarian operations should similarly continue as feasible.
As Covid 19 took hold in Cox's Bazar, Christian Aid called for an urgent scaling up of funds to frontline responders to prevent the spread of C 19 and support Rohingya refugee livelihoods. Rohingya refugees, host communities, local and national NGOs consulted during the draft of a Localisation Roadmap agreed that localising humanitarian action means gains in efficiency, honouring local responses and benefitting from local expertise, and value for money.
Regular latrine desludging as well as garbage collection continues to be carried out. Latrines were desludged over 370,000 times  ( individual latrines may have been desludged several times )  since the response to COVID 19 started
While Covid 19 spreads and conflict spikes in Rakhine, Myanmar, it is neither safe nor realistic for refugees to be relocated in Bangladesh or to return to Myanmar.
Plan International: Coordinating with Director of Health Services to provide technical guidance on sexual reproductive health and rights and health programming
Plan International  Provided cash grants to 1,100 vulnerable families in Hatibandha and Jaldhaka sub districts.  Reached 15,590 beneficiaries through COVID 19 awareness raising sessions in Cox's Bazar.  Reached 4,862 beneficiaries with child protection messages in programme areas.
Plan International Distributed hygiene kits to 17,003 households in Cox's Bazar.  Provided 780 adolescents with counseling services on menstrual hygiene, delayed marriage and its benefits, and COVID 19 prevention.  Launched 3 raising awareness on child marriage and gender based violence campaigns.
The severe monsoon floods this year are further exacerbating the humanitarian situation in a country already facing other emergencies, including the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019  ( COVID 19 )  pandemic, the Rohingya refugee crisis in Cox's Bazar and the recent Cyclone Amphan.
A substantial reduction in household food expenditure in Cox's Bazar municipality of around 48% indicates the strain in food access during the lockdown period  ( WFP, 07/2020 ) . This may have long lasting impacts on individuals with already poor nutritional status.
Since COVID 19 pandemic, government issued restrictions for camp access cutting site management camp presence by 80%. FSMU led the design and development of the Remote SMS Monitoring System that is now used across the camps. The system ensured continuity of camp monitoring, reporting and trend analysis despite limited humanitarian staff access. The system relies on information collected directly by the refugees hence empowering refugees to directly identify and relay service gaps and concerns in a structured, trackable manner.
COVID Awareness and Behaviour :• During May 2020, 83% of older people surveyed were observing government instituted restrictions, while 15% were observing no movement restrictions. Since May restrictions have increased and as of the end of June, the Cox's Bazar municipality  including the camps  has being designated as a ‘Red Zone' with special measures in place to control the spread of the virus These restrictions do not allow gatherings and humanitarian staff movements within Cox's Bazar are significantly reduced.
COVID 19 preventive measures: Older people surveyed in Cox's Bazar are aware of a wide range of methods they can use to protect themselves. The two methods with the highest mention are avoiding touching one's face  ( 85% )  and handwashing  ( 84% ) . This was followed by coughing or sneezing into your elbow  ( 75% )  and avoiding groups or gathering  ( 69% ) . Overall older people in their 60s were more likely to be using these preventative measures than older people above 70. Older people surveyed reported receiving this guidance predominantly from doctors and health workers.
37% of all older people surveyed reported their ability to use all key types of COVID 19 preventive measures. However, 31% of older people surveyed said that they are unable to wash their hands properly. Anecdotal evidence points to this being caused by older people's forgetfulness linked to challenges connected with dementia coupled with inadequate WASH facilities. Furthermore 27% of older people surveyed, especially older men  ( 33% )  are unable to maintain two meters distance from others. This is difficult due to the high density of the camps where there is on average 40,000 people per square kilometre.
At the beginning of 2020 152 SM partner staff were trained across the 34 camps in site management. Despite the COVID 19 FSMU organized virtual customized CCCM modules orientation trainings for 18 Action Aid Staff as a newly selected UNHCR Site Management Partner.
UNHCR, its community based protection partners, and the refugee community continue to conduct awareness raising sessions, hygiene promotion and safe group radio listening activities in the refugee settlements.
While most older people surveyed did not report encountering barriers in accessing COVID 19 health messaging, 27% did. This was higher for older people with a disability  ( 29% ) , older women  ( 32% )  and those above 70  ( 33% ) .
62% of older people surveyed considered their access to health services had changed since COVID 19. This was higher among older women  ( 68% )  and older people with a disability  ( 68% ) . O
Access to medicine was the second highest priority for older people. 28% of older people surveyed have reported difficulty accessing medicines. While 94% of older people surveyed are still receiving medicine, due largely to HelpAge's interventions, the restrictions mean that many older people are waiting longer to acquire their medicines. Currently only 3% of those interviewed have not been able to access the medicines they need, a very positive finding given that 93% of older people have at least one health condition.
The outbreak of COVID 19 has reduced older people's access to basic goods and services. Currently: • 51% of older people surveyed have difficulty accessing toilets. This is higher for older men  ( 59% ) . • 50% of older people surveyed have difficulty accessing health services, with older women having the greater difficulty  ( 60% )  compared to older men  ( 38% )
The outbreak of COVID 19 has reduced older people's access to basic goods and services. Currently: 28% of older people surveyed have difficulty accessing medicines, with older women having the greater difficulty  ( 37% )  compared to older men  ( 19% ) . • 26% of older people surveyed have difficulty accessing drinking water, with those above 70 having greater difficulty.
Further more, reduction in privacy can cause domestic violence including violation of women rights on grounds of menstruation needs, and increase existing taboos and stigmas surrounding menstruation.
Impact of falling incomes on MHH: One of the primary effects of the lockdown was a fall in income across many categories of workers. Most severely affected were low income workers from urban communities, especially daily wage earners and readymade garment workers
Bangladesh with no exception to other nations around the globe have experienced the increased trend of gender based violence  ( GBV )  by the peers and spouse at the household level during the COVID19 crisis. The increase could be attributed to the restriction in movement from the lock down as it led to the lack of livelihood opportunities for many, and school closures thereby, making it compulsory for all the family members to stay at home.