The United Nations in Bangladesh on Tuesday published an annual report of the key results of its development and humanitarian activities in 2022.
During the year, the UN country team continued to support the people and the government of Bangladesh in achieving progress on the Sustainable Development Goals through a wide range of projects, programs and policies, reads a press release.
In the first year of implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022-2026, the initiatives of the UN in the country touched millions and directly benefited hundreds of thousands of people.
Alongside advancing support to achieve sustainable development, the UN country team and its humanitarian partners strengthened support for the country's preparedness and response to climate-related disasters, and for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis.
Presenting the report, the UN resident coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, said: “Despite the challenging global environment of 2022, the UN has continued to support the people and the Government of Bangladesh to strengthen institutions, policies and implementation of a wide range of initiatives and services.
“Efforts to strengthen food security, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, education, child protection, support for survivors of gender-based violence, safe, orderly and regular migration, social protection, and health continue.
“In parallel to advancing support to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN in Bangladesh also worked to support the government in addressing the impact of climate-induced crises in the country.”
She continued: “In May 2022, the country witnessed severe flash floods in Sylhet and Sunamganj impacting 7.2 million people and leaving millions displaced. Economic damages in the region were estimated at upwards of $722 million. To support the immediate emergency response and to assist those worst affected by the flash floods, the UN Central Emergency Respond Fund (CERF) allocated $5 million to provide lifesaving support to vulnerable communities in the worst-hit districts, with an overall response of $20.45 million mobilized by the international community.”
“For the fifth year, Bangladesh continues to host close to one million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar and must be commended for generously providing safety to the Rohingya refugees since August 2017. In 2022, the Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis, a prioritized appeal of $881 million, received 59% of the requested funding ($520.5 million) by the end of the year and succeeded in providing critical humanitarian and basic services.”
The report provides an overview of the work of the UN in Bangladesh and consists of three chapters.
The first chapter reports on the key developments in the country and the regional context.
The second chapter examines UN agencies' results achieved under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026 and in close coordination with the government, civil society and development partners. It also highlights the UN humanitarian response to climate-related disasters in support of the government, as well as the Rohingya humanitarian crisis.
The third chapter presents the priorities of the UN country team for 2023.