Oxfam is supplying water pumps, latrines kits, and other sanitation equipment to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases in overcrowded makeshift refugee camps.
Since August 25, more than 600,000 Rohingya refugees have arrived in Bangladesh, leading to a humanitarian crisis.
Oxfam is responding to the crisis and has reached 185,000 refugees across six sites in Bangladesh with clean, safe drinking water, portable toilets, and hygiene promotion, and is also providing food rations of rice, sugar, and fortified biscuits.
“I didn’t take anything, and I don’t know where any of my friends are.” At first, they drank from a nearby waterfall and stream, but then the water began to make them feel sick.
“Only the water is fixed, and for that we are thankful – now we get clean water every day.” Habiba “When we reached the river, we had to leave everything–all our rice and food,” says Habiba, 22, a mother of three who also lives in Kutupalong Camp.
“Before it was here, the children were sick.
The other water was so smelly.” Ayesha Ayesha lives in Balukhali Camp with her four children, two boys and two teenage girls.
Two days ago, Oxfam installed a latrine near their home, so they are no longer going to the bathroom in the open.
“It has become so much easier to go to the bathroom, as it is close to our home, and so much more dignified for my daughters.” Sumania Sumania and her seven children live in Moinnarghona Camp, where Oxfam recently installed latrines and water pumps.
“The children are feeling better.