The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Bangladesh today signed agreements for a $58.6 million grant from the Asian Development Fund (ADF) and a $28.1 million concessional loan to improve infrastructure and services for displaced people from Myanmar (DPFM) and host communities.

The agreements were signed in Dhaka by Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Hoe Yun Jeong, ADB Country Director for Bangladesh.

“We are pleased to support Bangladesh in strengthening the resilience and livelihood opportunities of displaced people from Myanmar and host communities, while fostering social cohesion,” said Jeong. He added that this assistance builds on earlier ADB support totaling $171.4 million since 2018.

The Integrated Services and Livelihood for Displaced People from Myanmar and Host Communities Improvement Project will expand access to clean water, sanitation, roads, bridges, energy, and disaster-resilient infrastructure in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.

In the camps, ADB will fund solar-powered streetlights in Cox’s Bazar, rehabilitate fecal sludge systems in Bhasan Char, and optimize biogas for cooking. Drainage canals will be rehabilitated with nature-based solutions, while food distribution centers will be built with facilities for women, children, and persons with disabilities.

For host communities, the project includes multi-purpose cyclone shelters in Hatia, mini piped water supply systems across nine upazilas of Cox’s Bazar, a surface water treatment plant in Ukhia and Palongkhali, and improved roads in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.

Currently, over 1 million displaced people from Myanmar live in 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar, while 36,000 have relocated to Bhasan Char.

ADB said the project will enhance connectivity, improve essential services, and strengthen the government’s capacity to manage development initiatives.

MN/