WFP: Building Resiliency & Self-Reliance

In Bangladesh, the global food and fuel crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, high inflation, reduced incomes, and repeated climatic induced shocks place extreme stress on the poorest households, most of whom are Rohingya refugees. These crises impede their access to an affordable and nutritious diet. A situation that will likely further deteriorate due to the food ration cuts. Apart from the humanitarian response, within the context of a protracted crisis, the 2023 Joint Response Plan has expanded to include new development objectives, acknowledging that the Rohingya require skills that support their longer-term resilience and improve their livelihoods, enabling them to be self-reliant both in the camps in Bangladesh and upon their eventual voluntarily, safe, and dignified return to Myanmar. Short-term humanitarian aid is no longer sufficient or sustainable to counter the myriad of challenges faced by both host and Rohingya communities.

With current and emerging reductions in services and available resources to support the refugees, the need to become economically active is even more pertinent. The economic situation also affects the host communities hence competing for available resources may further deteriorate the volatility in the region. Supporting interventions that build economic resilience can contribute to fostering better social cohesion between the refugee and host communities. The World Food Programme is well-positioned to deliver longer-term support for self-resilience and livelihood development to both communities, due to its dual mandate as a humanitarian and development partner and role within the coordination and service delivery of Food Security and Livelihoods and Skills Development sectors of the Joint Response Plan. 

Direct target group:

• 31,200 Rohingya (70% women)
• 30,000 small-hold farmers (80% women) in the sub-districts of Ukhiya and Teknaf

Indirect target group: Host communities and families of the 27,000 registered small-hold farmers (producers) in the sub-districts Ukhiya and Teknaf who are connected to the 59 Aggregation centres. Families of the 31,200 Rohingya engages in skills development, gardening, and volunteer work.

Outcome 1: The most vulnerable Rohingya refugees are supported via introduction of agricultural skills development and improved food security.

Outcome 2: Food security and nutritional status of the host community is enhanced through capacity building and agricultural livelihoods opportunities. 

Expected results:  

Output 1.1: Vulnerable refugee women and men participated in cash for training activities.

Output 2.1: Host-community capacity agricultural production is increased and linked with markets. 

Multi-donor framework partners:

• United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
• European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO)
• Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)

Other appeals, projects, and actors:

• WFP Bangladesh Country Strategic Plan
• Rohingya 2023 Joint Response Plan
  Food Security Sector Livelihoods
  Skills Development Sector
• Inter-Sectoral Coordination Group
• Food and Agricultural Organisation
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
• International Organization for Migration
• United Nations Children’s Fund