Cox’s Bazar: UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organizations’ Affairs Yacoub Al Hosani on Friday visited Kutupalong refugee camp and launched cooperation with UNHCR in nutrition programme supported by the UAE contribution.

He was received by Kevin Allen, head of UNHCR’s Emergency Operations for the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh, reports the UNB.

Al Hosani and Allen toured one of the UNHCR nutrition centres supported by the UAE contribution.

At the centre, the Assistant Minister met UNHCR staff and partner agency workers, and saw first-hand affected refugees.

He listened to a brief about the centre and UNHCR’s response in nutrition by a UNHCR nutrition expert.

The visit is considered as the launch of the cooperation between the UAE and UNHCR in the nutrition programme which will cover the needs of 132,700 refugees, including 78,000 adult women and children.

Speaking to UNHCR, Al Hosani said, ‘The situation of Rohingya refugees is very difficult, especially those women and children who suffer from malnutrition.’

The UAE expressed appreciation to the Bangladesh government and the people of Bangladesh for their humanitarian stances, especially in hosting Rohingya refugees who fled forcibly. 

It will increase support to UNHCR, the UN agencies, and all the humanitarian organisations to help provide assistance and relief to the Rohingya refugees.

On the role of the UAE and this contribution, Kevin Allen said, ‘UNHCR and the refugees we serve thank the government and people of the United Arab Emirates for this generous contribution, which will address the nutritional needs of thousands of Rohingya children.’

UNHCR acknowledged UAE’s generous contribution of US$ 2 million to support UNHCR’s activities, in particular nutrition, for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

An estimated one of every fifth Rohingya refugee child in Bangladesh is suffering from acute malnutrition. As per the last nutrition survey UNHCR conducted at the end of 2017, the overall global acute malnutrition rate for refugee children in Bangladesh was 18.2 per cent, out of which almost 4 per cent were suffering from severe acute malnutrition.