China partners with UN to help Rohingya and flood-affected women in Bangladesh

China has partnered with the UN bodies to help Rohingya and flood-affected women in Bangladesh with sexual and reproductive health kits.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), under a joint initiative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the government of China, handed those kits to the Civil Surgeon Office of Gaibandha, Kurhigram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Bogra districts, in addition to the Directorate General of Health Services at a ceremony in Dhaka on Wednesday.

The UN agencies said 14,850 women and girls, affected by the floods in 2017, will receive the kits from the Civil Surgeon Office, which contain sanitary napkins, underwear, and flashlight, among others.

These kits will assist the underprivileged women in the flood-affected districts to maintain hygiene and dignity.

It is estimated that, in Cox’s Bazar, almost 294,000 women of reproductive age are affected and are at risk of gender-based violence since the Rohingya influx.

With this joint initiative of UNDP and China, UNFPA is providing life-saving reproductive health kits and medicines to 118,000 Rohingya women.

Dr Sathyanarayanan Doraiswamy, Chief of Health, UNFPA Bangladesh said they had supported 35,000 flood-affected women and girls of reproductive age to ensure their reproductive health and girls, improving their mobility and be able to access the lifesaving humanitarian aid.

“With support from China Aid, UNFPA will provide 125 Health Workers Kits to provide reproductive health support to 14,850 flood affected women and girls,” he said.

As many as 118,000 refugee women and girls in Cox’s Bazar would also get Reproductive Health Kits, he said.

He thanked the government of China and UNDP for this joint initiative.

Attending the distribution event, Li Guangjun, Chinese Economic and Commercial Counsellor to Bangladesh, said that they appreciate the role of the government of Bangladesh in handling the refugee crisis.

“Through this initiative, China is keen to provide much-needed materials to help the flood victims and refugees in Bangladesh, partnering with UNDP and UNFPA.”

He also hoped that the government of China would continue this partnership in future for the poor and marginalised people of Bangladesh.

Prof Abul Kalam Azad, Director General for Health Services thanked China, UNFPA and the UNDP for extending their support for taking “extra care” of the women and girls of reproductive age.

“It will strengthen the south-south cooperation and help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

Iori Kato, Deputy Representative, UNFPA Bangladesh said this support will build “the confidence of the women in danger and they will have better access to more pregnancy care and birthing options.”