Care Bangladesh introduces first ever cluster village to Rohingya camp

A unique and integrated community based cluster village approach is being introduced to a Rohingya camp in Ukhiya upazila to help ensure better protection and dignity for thousands of Rohingya refugees.

Through this initiative, Care Bangladesh has incorporated segments such as shelter, WASH, GBV and protection under their comprehensive site management plan.  

Care Bangladesh intended to promote a risk-informed cluster village planning and its implementation through partnership between government, different sectors and humanitarian actors along with the community.

Shelter and Site Management Sector Lead of Care Bangladesh's Rohingya response program, Umme Khadiza, told the Dhaka Tribune that four cluster villages are being piloted inside Camp number-16 at Shafiullah Ghata and Putibonia areas in Ukhiya upazila.

“The Rohingya crisis is a one of the major humanitarian crisis in the world at this moment as more than half a million people have crossed the border of Bangladesh to save their lives,” she said.

"Rohingya people are struggling with shelter, WASH, fuel, protection in their daily life. The Model Cluster village adopted the government approved midterm-shelter design along with Sector approved basic facilities like water points, latrines, community kitchen, street lighting, drainage and pathways and others.

"To implement the initiative, Care has taken special consideration of preserving the nature and protecting environment through tree plantation and disaster risk reduction initiatives."

Refugee Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam inaugurated one of the Model Cluster Villages on October 4.

He said: "The quality of the midterm shelter is good. I have spoken to the community about the cluster village and they are happy with it."

Care Bangladesh's Program Director Emmanuel Minari said with government support, his organization has been able to provide support to the Rohingyas since the beginning of the crisis in August 25, 2017.

"Care looks forward to a collaborative effort like this which involves coordination between public and private actors to ensure a more livable environment for the violence affected people,” he said.

Fatema, one of the beneficiaries of the cluster village, said the new accommodation in the model village was a vast improvement on her existing situation. 

“The houses we live in now are entirely made of tarpaulin and have no window,” she said. 

“It gets very hot during the day and it’s difficult to stay inside especially for the small children. Now I am happy with these new houses and also the beautiful environment."

Khadiza said their target was to provide shelter to 1,260 families with their current funding through this model. 

“The cluster village model creates more scope to address community needs and harmony to ensure maximum resource utilization,” she said.