Transformed statement: When trash is viewed as a source of honor
In the bustling refugee camps of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, where over 600,000 Rohingya refugees have sought shelter since 2017, the importance of hygiene and waste management cannot be overstated. Amidst the challenging conditions, international humanitarian organisation Welthungerhilfe, in partnership with local NGO Anando, is making a significant impact.
Welthungerhilfe, renowned for its work in addressing food security, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues in crisis contexts, is actively involved in improving living conditions in Cox's Bazar. The organisation, in collaboration with Anando, has constructed drinking water systems, sanitary facilities, wash houses, solar lanterns, and stabilized slopes in the camp.
Moreover, Welthungerhilfe is distributing comprehensive hygiene kits to both refugees and needy locals. These kits contain essential items such as water canisters, personal hygiene products, protective masks, and disinfectants. Lucky Dhar, a resident of Jadimura, expresses his gratitude for these kits, stating that they would not be able to afford these items otherwise.
The hygiene facilities provided by aid organisations, including Welthungerhilfe and Anando, have raised awareness about the importance of hygiene in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. This education is crucial in maintaining public health and preventing disease outbreaks in the densely populated camps.
In addition to improving hygiene facilities, Welthungerhilfe and Anando have also established a waste disposal system in the camp. Ferozul Amin, a garbage collector in Camp 27 Jadimura, is a key figure in this system. He and his team collect waste from households in the camp using a cargo bike, ensuring the camp remains clean and reducing the risk of disease spread.
Ferozul's work, for which he receives 2,500 taka (approximately 25 euros) each week, contributes significantly to the low number of Corona infections in the camps. Experts attribute this to strict exit restrictions and extensive hygiene facilities provided by aid organisations.
Households in the camp have been provided with green buckets for biodegradable waste and red ones for non-compostable waste. These waste management practices, combined with Ferozul's efforts, help maintain a clean and healthy environment in the camp.
Ferozul's work also provides him with a sense of purpose and structure, as it helps improve the cleanliness, health, and peace in the camp. Despite the challenges faced by the Rohingya refugees, initiatives like those led by Welthungerhilfe, Anando, and dedicated individuals like Ferozul Amin, offer a glimmer of hope for a better future.
For precise and up-to-date information on Welthungerhilfe’s projects in the Rohingya camps, consulting Welthungerhilfe’s official reports or their regional office communications would be necessary.
- Welthungerhilfe, known for its role in environmental-science-related initiatives like water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, is applying this expertise to enhance the living conditions in Cox's Bazar.
- As part of their sustainable-living initiatives, Welthungerhilfe and local NGO Anando are distributing educational materials in environmental-science and personal-growth sectors to the Rohingya refugees, aiding in their career-development and skills-training.
- Refugees in Cox's Bazar are being exposed to lectures on climate-change and its impact on the environment through a series of workshops organized by Welthungerhilfe, promoting education-and-self-development and fostering an understanding of the importance of adopting a lifestyle that minimizes carbon footprint.
- In a bid to empower the Rohingya population and foster a sense of community, Welthungerhilfe and Anando are offering vocational training in areas such as home-and-garden and environmental-science, preparing refugees for future careers in sustainable-living and waste-management.
- To ensure the continuity and success of their projects in the Rohingya camps, Welthungerhilfe is seeking partnerships with global organizations focused on environmental-science, education-and-self-development, personal-growth, and career-development, aiming to create long-term, impactful change for the refugee population.
