The World Bank yesterday launched two new projects worth $700 million to improve basic services, strengthen disaster resilience and expand human capital development for both the displaced Rohingya population and host communities in Bangladesh.
The two initiatives — the Host and Rohingya Enhancement of Lives Project (HELP) and the Inclusive Services and Opportunities Project (ISO) — each carry a commitment of $350 million and will run until June 2028.
Together, they build on earlier WB-supported interventions that have provided over $1 billion in financing since 2019.
“We want to see a multi-sectoral, comprehensive approach that improves the situation on the ground for both Rohingya and host communities, in the short and medium term,” said Jean Pesme, country director of the World Bank’s Bangladesh office, at the event.
All assistance to the Rohingya is in the form of grants; the projects are designed to build long-term resilience in Cox’s Bazar, Bhasan Char and surrounding host areas.
“Until the conditions for safe, dignified and voluntary return are met, our focus remains on supporting both the displaced Rohingya and host communities through a total of $1.3 billion in financing.”
The support covers health, learning, basic services and social safety nets for both the Rohingya and host communities, he said.
HELP will focus on water and sanitation, climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy and disaster preparedness. It aims to provide services and livelihoods for 645,000 people, including 329,000 women.
The ISO project seeks to expand access to health, education, social protection and gender-based violence response services.
Already, nearly 20,000 host community members have been engaged in short-term work opportunities, while partnerships with the World Food Programme have created community workfare for half a million Rohingya.
By 2028, ISO expects to generate 22.4 million workdays, support 300,000 Rohingya learners, deliver health services to 560,000 people and expand psychosocial and case management services for women, the WB said.
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