The continuous rise in rates of people being affected with the coronavirus has raised global concern. Even Bangladesh is not to be excluded from the shared concern.

Amidst all that, other worldly problems have not depleted as well, as Bangladesh faces its ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis.

This has caused the international community, including the UNHCR, to be greatly concerned for the amount of Covid-19 vaccines, under the Covax program, reaching Bangladesh, which can be used in inoculating the Rohingya refugees.

Officials have said that to avoid any discrimination, the Rohingyas, and the local community are to be vaccinated together once ample amount of doses are brought into the country.

Meanwhile, the number of Rohingya refugees infected with Covid-19 has seen an incline as of April and May, this year.

The UNHCR has reported that as of June 20, 20 of the refugees residing in the camps have died Covid-19 related deaths, and about 1,566 of them have been detected to be infected with the virus.

It has also been reported by the agency that this year in May alone, the number of people diagnosed with a positive result has stood to 600 people. This is an increase of 50% from March of last year.

Spokesperson for the UNHCR in Cox’s Bazar, Louise Donovan, has let UNB know of the agency’s plan in immediately vaccinating the Rohingya refugees as soon as the vaccines arrive to Bangladesh under the Covax program.

She has further informed of the uncertainty as to the date of arrival of the vaccines.

Louise further praised the Bangladesh government for including the Rohingya refugees with the general public in both the Covid-19 National Plan as well as the National Immunization Plan.

Minister of Foreign affairs, Dr A.K Abdul Momen has stated of the unfairness in only mentioning the importance of vaccinating only the Rohingya refugees. He further stated that the inoculation of them will be done alongside the local community, as to not promote discrimination.

Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says it is working closely with the government and the humanitarian community to provide comprehensive assistance to the Rohingya and local communities in Cox's Bazar district.

Sunnews/NT

Covid-19 Bangladesh UNHCR Vaccines

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