Dr Zhang Wenhong  is the head of infectious disease at Huashan Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai. 

He is considered the gatekeeper of Shanghai for his heavy involvement in creating the public health policies that worked and kept the city safe against COVID-19.

Chinese  Embassy in Dhaka is thinking that Dr. Zhang's knowledge and experience would benefit his Bangladeshi counterparts.  

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has been "exerting his influence" to invite Dr. Zhang to have a video conference with health officials and frontline doctors in Bangladesh in a few days to come, said Deputy Head of Mission Yan Hualong on Wednesday. 

One model had predicted Shanghai would see 800,000 cases, but through their extraordinary early efforts to limit travel, to end large gatherings and immediately implement social distancing and testing, Dr. Zhang Wenhong and his team, together with Shanghai Municipality Authorities and  its 24 million citizens managed to limit cases to just 300 confirmed cases, Yan said.

"And Dr. Zhang and his team have cured 95% of their COVID-19 patients in his hospital," he added. 

Now he is using his knowledge and experience to spread scientific knowledge to help countries fighting with the pandemic.

The United States has said it is deeply troubled by escalating violence in the northern Rakhine State and Chin State of Myanmar, where dozens have been killed and thousands have been displaced in recent months.

"We call on the Government of Burma to allow unhindered humanitarian access and to restore internet access. We also call on others to provide additional assistance and avoid actions that would further destabilise the region," said Morgan Ortagus, US Department of State Spokesperson on Wednesday. 

The current situation is exacerbated by ongoing restrictions on humanitarian and media access, and the prolonged internet blackout, which cut communities off from lifesaving assistance and vital information, according to US Department of State. 

"Access to humanitarian assistance and information are all the more important during the COVID-19 pandemic," said the US official. 

The US expressed deepest sympathies for all those affected by the violence, including the hundreds of families whose homes were recently destroyed. 

"We call on all parties to cease fighting, take necessary precautions to protect local communities, and pursue peaceful dialogue," said the Spokesperson. 

For decades, the US has partnered with those in Myanmar in support of their democratic aspirations and their pursuit of peace and prosperity. 

Since 2012, the US has funded large-scale efforts at decreasing violence, promoting human rights, and finding peace for all in Rakhine State. 

After the onset of the Rakhine State crisis in 2017, the people of the United States have given more than $820 million to ease humanitarian suffering of all affected by the crisis and find a way to resolve the ongoing emergency.

The US Embassy in Dhaka and the Department of State are planning to have a second chartered flight from Dhaka to take its citizens to the USA who voluntarily want to leave  Bangladesh.

The US government is in touch with the government of Bangladesh to charter a flight for US citizens and their families.  

"We will announce the next flight when details are confirmed," said the Embassy.

US citizens, who are willing to avail of the second chartered flight, have been asked to fill in the set quick questionnaire as soon as possible, but before 8pm on April 2.
"We want to be sure you have the information you need, including the limitations of a chartered flight."

Any US government chartered flight would be only for US citizens with a valid US passport, and their first priority, and some Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs).

Repatriation flights are not free and all passengers will need to reimburse the US government for the cost of the flight. 

The United States said the voluntary return of the US citizens from Bangladesh is not unique case as US citizens from other countries are also returning to the USA based on their personal choices. 

"It's not just happening in Bangladesh. This is not unique for Bangladesh," a spokesperson at the US Embassy in Dhaka said on Sunday. 

The Spokesperson said this is a temporary measure and the US citizens will be returning to Bangladesh again once the situation improves globally. 

The US Department of State and US Embassy in Dhaka arranged a special chartered flight for US citizens and their families which left Dhaka on Monday.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh and United Enterprises & Co Ltd (UECL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to aid collaborative response during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MoU was signed on Wednesday by UNDP Resident Representative Sudipto Mukerjee and Managing Director of UECL Moinuddin Hasan Rashid at the latter’s office.

“The most important thing is the coming together of two important players which share a joint commitment to respond to this [COVID-19] crisis,” Sudipto said at the signing.

He pointed out that although COVID-19 might not have a very high death toll its collateral impacts are likely to create much greater socioeconomic hardships.

“The increased risks of losing jobs and income, inability to easily access essential services including normal medical care in hospitals are some of the hardships that will disproportionately affect the poor”, Sudipto added.

“ So what we are trying to do is to make things easier for the people to follow the public order – which is to stay home and prevent the virus from spreading and therefore this partnership will deliver food at the doorsteps of the poor households.”

UECL Managing Director Rashid pointed out that as an organisation, most of their entities are related to providing service to the people.

“First the hospital, second the supermarkets, then we have a pharmacy chain. Our port is in operation since the government has instructed to ensure that the food supply is on time.” 

Under the MoU, UNDP and UECL will collaborate in providing emergency support to vulnerable communities during national crisis/climatic disasters.

They will also support the government in enhancing capacities and competencies of state-run health facilities and the doctors and caregivers at the government health complexes.

At the same time, the cooperation will seek to advocate and direct establishment of proper medical waste disposal systems in Bangladesh. 

Under the agreement, UNDP and UECL will also work together to provide skills training for underprivileged youth and women and look for opportunities for creating decent employment to achieve the SDGs in longer term.   

Among others Chaity Rezwana, Md Abdul Quayyum, Debashis Roy, Joytish Talukder from UNDP, Brig Gen AJM Fazlur Rahman, Ndc, Psc, Executive Director, United Trust and other Directors from UECL were present.

The World Bank has approved $350 million in grant financing for three projects to help Bangladesh cope with one of the world’s largest forced exoduses.

These grants will help Bangladesh address the needs of the host communities and displaced Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar district for health services, response to gender-based violence, social protection, basic services and infrastructure, said the lending agency in a media release issued from Washington.

“Bangladesh has shown great leadership by providing shelter to around 1.1 million Rohingyas, which is about three times of the local population in Teknaf and Ukhiya upazilas. Naturally, this has placed immense strain on existing infrastructure and social service delivery, and increased health and disaster risks,” said Mercy Tembon, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.

“The three grants will cater to the needs of both the host and Rohingya communities. At the same time, they will strengthen the country’s service delivery capacity and increase resilience to natural disaster and climate change.”

The $150 million Health and Gender Support Project for Cox’s Bazar District will enable 3.6 million people, including Rohingyas, to have access to health, nutrition and family planning services as well as address gender-based violence through preventive and response services.

The infant mortality rate and prevalence of stunting in Cox’s Bazar is higher than national average.

The project will renovate and upgrade health facilities in Cox’s Bazar, including Sadar Hospital and the Mother and Child Welfare Centres in the localities; and the Women Friendly Spaces inside the Rohingya camps.

The project will also help fill in vacant positions of health professionals and ensure adequate medical supplies. Within the Rohingya camps, the project will provide psychosocial counseling, immunization, Tuberculosis screening and treatment and nutrition services.  

The $100 million additional financing to the Emergency Multi-Sector Rohingya Crisis Response Project will scale up access to energy, water, sanitation and disaster-resilient infrastructures for the Rohingya and the surrounding host communities.

The project will benefit about 780,800 people, including 140,800 local people with better public infrastructure.

This includes access to improved water sources for 365,800 people and better sanitation for 171,800 people.

It will help build 40 multi-purpose disaster shelters, accessible to 81,000 people.

The project will also support renewable energy systems  using solar photovoltaic nano-grid schemes to increase access to clean electricity and install  around 4,000 solar street lights, 975 lightning protection systems and build 250 km of climate resilient roads.

It will also help government agencies to strengthen institutional systems and capacities to plan, coordinate and respond to crisis and emergencies.

The $100 million additional financing to the Safety Net Systems for the Poorest Project will help provide livelihoods and income support to poor and vulnerable households in the host communities using an existing national safety net program, Employment Generation Program for the Poorest; and scale-up social assistance coverage to the Rohingya under the Emergency Multi-Sector Rohingya Crisis Response Project.

The additional financing will benefit 40,000 host community households and 85,000 Rohingya households.

With these three grants, the World Bank has provided a total of $480 million in grants to enable Bangladesh to deal with the displaced population inflow.