The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has officially launched the Host and Impacted Community Resilience Activity, a new initiative designed to support communities affected by the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis.
The program was inaugurated on Monday by US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Tracey Jacobson and Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Honorable Adviser for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, in collaboration with the local non-governmental organization Friends in Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB).
Focusing on Cox’s Bazar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, regions significantly impacted by the refugee influx, the initiative aims to improve livelihoods, enhance economic opportunities, and provide access to essential services. It will offer job skills training and improve access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities for affected Bangladeshi communities.
“This initiative is not just about meeting immediate needs; it is about building long-term resilience,” said Jacobson during the launch event.
In addition to addressing humanitarian challenges, the program seeks to bolster community resilience against natural disasters, which pose a recurring threat in these vulnerable areas. Collaborations among local authorities, host communities, and displaced populations will aim to conserve over 35,000 hectares of critical land, protecting natural resources vital to the region's sustainability.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized the importance of cooperation in tackling the intertwined challenges of environmental conservation and community development. "This initiative represents a significant step forward in fostering harmony and sustainable growth in regions impacted by the crisis," she noted.
The program’s comprehensive approach highlights USAID’s commitment to fostering long-term stability and sustainable development in areas heavily affected by the refugee crisis. It aims to strengthen bonds between displaced Rohingya individuals and their host communities, creating an environment of mutual support and shared growth.
This initiative underscores the importance of global partnerships in addressing complex humanitarian crises, providing a roadmap for resilience and stability in one of the world’s most challenged regions.
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