International support is needed to maintain humanitarian services for more than 13,000 people who have been relocated to Bhasan Char island from Cox’s Bazar, the IFRC said Monday. This appeal follows an independent visit by representatives from the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to the river island. It requested the Government of Bangladesh, humanitarian agencies and international donors to do everything possible to keep people displaced from Rakhine State safe and able to live with dignity, wherever they are located, including on Bhasan Char.  The team found that the Government of Bangladesh has made progress on Bhasan Char in terms of the development of infrastructure.  However, it also found urgent investment is needed to ensure that women and children are adequately protected, and that food security, health care and schooling is assured both in the short and longer-term.  While evacuation centres are in place to keep people safe from disasters, there remain concerns that the island could be exposed during the upcoming cyclone season and that systems are further strengthened to manage the potential isolation caused by storms.  Feroz Salah Uddin, Secretary General, Bangladesh Red Crescent, said, “After nearly four years of living in precarious camps in cramped conditions, many people are relocating to the island of Bhasan Char and we are providing a range of relief services at this critical time.  Also read: 6 lakh people in Rohingya camps “exposed” to cyclone risks: IFRC    “Bangladesh Red Crescent is working with authorities to deliver food packages, hygiene items, sanitation and health services to thousands of people on the island for the coming months.”  Sanjeev Kafley, Bangladesh Head of Delegation, IFRC, said with the cyclone season fast approaching, people on Bhasan Char could become stranded with a shortage of food when major storms strike, leaving the sea passage impassable, in turn denying the delivery of relief, medicines and other vital supplies.  “Everyone relocating must have access to all of the essentials for a healthy life, including nutritious food, hygiene items such as soap, along with health and medical care. Women and children must be afforded protection from violence and other risks.  Also read: 1,800 more Rohingyas moved to Bhasan Char “People who are now living on Bhasan Char have been through so many hardships and they deserve opportunities for a fulfilling life, with opportunities to start new livelihoods and access to education and other activities,” Kafley said.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Monday handed over four new ambulances and a COVID-19 sample collection van to Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) to help them transfer patients to hospitals and support COVID-19 sample collection and testing.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have recognised the efforts of their volunteers and staff in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.   The organisations say they are "immensely proud" to recognise the hard work of their volunteers and staff who are doing everything they can to support communities affected by the COVID-19.   The appreciation came ahead of the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day which falls on May 8.    “Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, a part of the international Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, is everywhere for everyone, every day,” said Md Feroz Salah Uddin, Secretary General of BDRCS.   This year is even more challenging.   By Thursday, Bangladesh confirmed 12,425 coronavirus cases and 199 deaths.   BDRCS said Red Crescent volunteers are at work, despite huge risk to themselves, helping vulnerable individuals and communities to protect themselves from COVID-19, and the BDRCS continues to provide many other services that people need to keep themselves safe and healthy.   They said each and every volunteer in Bangladesh deserves applause, and encouraged everyone to #KeepClapping on May 8.   Bangladesh Red Crescent volunteers have been active in communities since the novel coronavirus was first detected in the country. The COVID-19 response activities have been carried out alongside other humanitarian works that Bangladesh Red Crescent is well known for.    With support from the ICRC and IFRC, Red Cross Red Crescent Partner National Societies and others, every year, BDRCS reaches almost two million people with a diverse range of services tailored to local needs.   Azmat Ulla, the Head of IFRC Bangladesh Country Office, said: “When we practise physical distancing to break the transmission, it’s extremely important to have social solidarity and support.”    He said it is difficult time for everyone but he sees “so much hope in the bravery and dedication of Bangladesh Red Crescent Youth volunteers, the community volunteers, cyclone preparedness volunteers countrywide”.   “This solidarity will help us not only survive this pandemic, but also help it to thrive afterwards,” he said.   Pierre Dorbes, the Head of Delegation for ICRC in Bangladesh, said: “Beyond the public health crisis, the COVID-19 epidemic is impacting the economic security of millions of Bangladeshi people while for displaced people from [Myanmar’s] Rakhine, this is another factor of vulnerability.    “The ICRC together with other partners of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement stands side by side with all those vulnerable people in such an unprecedented crisis.”