The World Bank on Tuesday said the Refugee Policy Review was done by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) following the Refugee Policy Review Framework.   UNHCR collected baseline information on the existing policies, practices, and programmes, said the global lending agency in a statement posted on its website. The WB said the review does not make any country-specific recommendations. Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen also said the it was for the countries which are hosting refugees. On Monday, he reiterated the government position against any long term programme by the World Bank for integration of Rohingyas into Bangladesh but indicated some adjustments on the proposal. Read: Bangladesh receives $590 million World Bank financing to tackle Rohingya situation "We have dropped all ideas (from WB proposal) that doesn't match with our own philosophy that's repatriation," Dr Momen, adding that Bangladesh's priority remains repatriation of the Rohingyas. The World Bank is helping Bangladesh address the needs of the displaced Rohingya population until their safe and voluntarily return to Myanmar, said the statement. The World Bank is also supporting Bangladesh to minimize the impact of the influx on the host communities, it said. The World Bank has committed $590 million for Bangladesh to address the health, informal education, safety net, water and sanitation, and basic infrastructure, including climate resilient roads, solar street lights, and disaster preparedness needs of both the displaced Rohingya and host communities in Cox’s Bazar. The World Bank’s research and analysis are also providing insights for understanding the challenges and development priorities in Cox’s Bazar. Read: Repatriation is the only solution, not integration: FM about Rohingya crisis "The entire $590 million financing is on grant terms. This is not a credit," reads the statement. The Refugee Policy Review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the World Bank financing for the refugee and host communities, said the WB. This review has been done in each of the 14 World Bank member countries that are currently hosting displaced population.   

The government of Japan and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have concluded an agreement which will provide approximately US$ 10 million to support the improvement of the water supply and distribution system for Bangladeshi host communities and “Rohingya“ refugees in Teknaf Upazila, Cox’s Bazar. 

The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will co-host a donor conference on October 22 to promote support for Rohingya refugees and host countries.

The sprawling Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, hosts to more than 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, are vulnerable to a high risk of coronavirus outbreak which could prove deadly for both the refugees and the local community.