Mission Report WASH Bangladesh Feb 2016

Monitoring mission report – BANGLADESH, February 2016

Partners: Action contre la faim - ACF, Solidarités International – SI & IOM

Cox’s Bazar district – Kutupalong makeshift site with ACF, Leda with IOM & Forum, Teknaf upazilla with SI

1.Executive Summary / Highlights

ACF are doing pretty well!

SI are doing ok with a bit modest objectives but with good local impact.

IOM showed very disappointing with a poor performance we asked to improve, correct and that needs follow up and continued monitoring that was agreed to be scheduled second week of March; communication is recommended at headquarters levels asking all questions to be answered and a time plan with corrective actions.

2.Introduction & background

First mission of current WASH TA in Bangladesh, quite a long time after the previous WASH mission in Bangladesh.

You cannot miss it, Bangladesh has a very high population density, well above 1000 people per km2, and then pressure; every square meter is used, it seems like space is not available anymore.

Cox’s Bazar region has – always – suffered of dire poverty.

Rohingyas fled out of Myanmar massively since more than 20 years back. The older ones are registered in camps, the more recent ones, so called UMN, undocumented Myanmar nationals, are settled in makeshift settlements and, as they are called, they have no document; they are then particularly vulnerable.

In makeshift settlements, permanent structures were not allowed by authorities that have softened their position lately.

IOM is seen and seems to be very close to the official authorities – but, then, they are allowed much more easily than the other NGOs that are very prudent at all times, knowing they can be kicked out if they do not please the authorities.