In response to the plight of Rohingyas who have been fled from Myanmar, AMDA Bangladesh decided to launch medical relief in the refugee camps set at border towns. AMDA Bangladesh had been continuously monitoring the situation and they decided to take a concrete action against the worsening sanitary condition in the camps.
The influx of Rohingyas to Bangladesh has been peaking since late August where approximately 537,000 people have fled homes. Including the number of those who had already been staying in the country as refugees, it is estimated that, as a whole, approximately 800,000 Rohingyas are currently residing in Bangladesh. (UNOCHA stat. as of 16 Oct. 2017.)
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The survey conducted by AMDA Bangladesh (from 21-22 September) revealed that medical needs were high in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. The team learned that a lack of clean water and bad sanitary condition were causing a number of diarrhea cases, respiratory inflammation and skin problems. Based on the current situation, it is fair to say that infectious diseases could spread at any time.
AMDA Bangladesh has obtained the official permission to initiate medical relief activities from the locality, and is now trying to set up a temporary clinic in Kutupalong refugee camp located in Ukhiya district of Cox’s Bazar.
In the past, AMDA Bangladesh has provided emergency relief to Rohingya refugees from March 1992 to January 1993 where AMDA Nepal and AMDA Japan also joined the mission to conduct mobile clinic, general medical consultation, sanitary health education, and deworming.