UNFPA, Switzerland pledge $2.2m for Rohingyas, host communities

Switzerland has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to provide over $2.2 million in support for adolescents, youth, women, and girls in Rohingya refugee camps and marginalised host communities in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.

The initiative, titled “Rising Together”, aims to foster resilient and inclusive communities by equipping young people and women with the tools needed to thrive, innovate, and lead, says a press release. 

During the launch of the partnership, Masaki Watabe, UNFPA’s representative in Bangladesh, said the programme is expected to positively impact over 130,000 individuals across refugee and host communities. 

“This is critical as both the Rohingya refugees and the host communities cope with this protracted protection crisis,” he added.

Corinne Henchoz Pignani, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, highlighted the initiative’s comprehensive approach. 

She said, “Through life-skills training, educational sessions, and integrated sexual and reproductive health services, this initiative will empower women and adolescents to build a brighter future.” 

The Rising Together programme addresses key challenges such as preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV), expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services, promoting positive youth development and leadership, and enhancing mental health and psychosocial support.

The initiative targets nearly 1 lakh individuals, focusing on 64,000 women and adolescent girls in both refugee and host communities. It aims to deliver GBV prevention and response services, life-skills training, and necessary referrals.

Also, 33,100 adolescents and youth will benefit from informal education, leadership development programmes, and initiatives promoting positive youth engagement, added the press release.