Since the influx of Rohingyas from Myanmar in 2017, the Bangladesh government has implemented various service facilities in the camps to deal with the humanitarian crisis. At the same time, neighbourhoods have been brought under the coverage to improve the livelihoods of the local people.
Apart from the development of an internal communication system for the local residents of Ukhiya and Teknaf as also for the Rohingya community, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has been running various projects, including social services and protection from natural disasters.
The rural township of Ukhiya has changed over the last couple of years as a result of road development works and construction of bridges, culverts, schools and madrasas and kitchen markets. The LGED is implementing the initiatives under the “Emergency Multi-Sector Project to Address the Rohingya Crisis (EMCRP)” with grants from the World Bank.
The people of Shailardeba, Taipalong, Deilpara, Dargah Bill, Dargah Palong, Hatimura, Lambaghona, Diglia Palong, Chakbaitha, Gyal Mara, Amtali, Valukia and Tulatuli of Cox's Bazar's Rajapalong Union are benefiting from the development projects.
Shamsul Alam, a majhi from Camp-19 in Ukhiya, said: "We had a lot of trouble moving around due to the lack of roads. We couldn't reach the hospital on time with patients and pregnant women. But now there are many beautiful roads.”
Shafiul Alam of Chakbaitha area said the roads, bridges and shelters have been very helpful to the local people. The bridge constructed between Dargah Bill and Dargah Palang benefits not only the people of Ukhiya Upazila, but also many in Naikhongchhari Upazila of Bandarban.
The service facility infrastructures undertaken by the EMCRP project include the construction of 50 schools and disaster shelters, development of 237.38km of roads, construction of internal roads, footpaths, drainage facilities and side-slope protection, construction of relief administration and distribution centres, installation of solar street lights, installation of lightning protection system and solar PD nano grid, and construction of building for the Fire Service.
LGED Senior Assistant Engineer Pratipada Dewan said the authorities are implementing 33 development projects in Cox's Bazar. Five of the projects have been implemented and the rest are also in the final stages. “The LGED is doing a lot of work in the camps and the neighbourhoods. All this has been made possible by the government's sincere efforts.”
The World Bank's DDCL Field Residence Engineer Shafiqul Kabir said the local residents and the Rohingya community living in the camp are very happy to get various facilities, including roads, bridges, shelters, culverts and solar-powered street lights.
He added: “The work we have done in the local communities and the Rohingya camps is of very high quality.
“Under the management of the Cox's Bazar LGED executive engineer, we have worked together as a team along with the upazila engineer and the consultant engineer so that the works are sustainable and robust. The locals and the Rohingyas have responded positively that they have benefited from various facilities.”
