As countries around the world fight the pandemic, the coming of the monsoon rains risks worsening the already difficult situation of refugees in Bangladesh, said the UN agency.
In Bangladesh, so far there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection among the Rohingya population.
"Despite this, both host communities and refugees in Cox’s Bazar, with a population density one and a half times higher than New York City, are considered to be among the most at risk globally in this pandemic," said UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic in a briefing in Geneva.
The area is also seasonally prone to both landslides and flash flooding, according to UNHCR.
The UNHCR Spokesperson said they must make every effort to ensure that the possible spread of the virus and the coming monsoon season do not exacerbate the already highly vulnerable situation of the Rohingyas in Bangladesh.
The UNHCR urged the international community to stand in solidarity with refugees and IDPs to avert a looming mix of natural and public health disaster.
In 2019, during the heaviest monsoon downpours in September, over 4,000 households were temporarily displaced in the camps in Cox’s Bazar, and more than 16,000 people affected.
"Thanks to mitigation measures in place, the damage was far less than the previous year. Refugees remain at the centre of preparedness planning and response, through teams of some 3,000 trained volunteer first responders, leading their own communities and these life-saving measures," said Mahecic.
Annual monsoon preparations, however, have been impacted by the suspension of disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts, including improvements to drainage systems and slope stabilization work.
Similarly, the relocation of refugees living in areas at high risk of flooding and landslides has also been delayed.
Delivery of supplies has also been challenging, as the COVID-19 related “lockdown” has impacted road transport.
"While humanitarian operations in the camps have been scaled back to only the most critical activities, the distribution of “tie-down kits” that reinforce refugee shelters against high winds continues. Post-disaster kits and emergency relief items have been pre-positioned in case of emergency," said Mahecic.
Emergency Preparedness and Response Teams (EPRTs) are also on standby to mobilize and deploy as necessary and permitted to operate in case of extreme weather.
To address the risks of a potential outbreak of coronavirus in the camps, the Government of Bangladesh, together with UNHCR and partners, has ensured the inclusion of Rohingya refugees in its national response.
UNHCR and partners have launched construction of isolation and treatment facilities, with the goal of ensuring the availability of 1,900 beds to serve both refugees and host communities in the district in the coming weeks.
Information-sharing has been expanded through a network of more than 2,000 community volunteers, religious leaders and humanitarian workers.
"While it is vital to prioritize public health-related preparations in the camps at this time, cyclone and monsoon preparedness activities must also continue. Both together will ensure that refugees have safe and sanitary living conditions in an additional, potential public health emergency," said the Spokesperson.
To ensure preparedness measures can proceed safely, personal protective equipment (PPE) is desperately needed, given the magnitude of the increased demands, according to UNHCR.
"The large-scale procurement and distribution of PPE is vital to ensure that COVID-19 does not take hold and spread rapidly," said the Spokesperson.
Overall, the 2020 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis sought some US$877 million to meet the most critical needs before the COVID-19 pandemic began.
To date the JRP is only 16 per cent funded, according to UNHCR.
"In the midst of such a global public health crisis, it is clear that all of us can only be safe if we ensure that everyone is kept safe. COVID-19 does not discriminate," said Mahecic.