Bangladesh: dozens of community volunteers in both camps are providing essential services to the newcomers and assisting with activities by UNHCR and partners. Volunteers are being managed to ensure a uniform presence in all blocks.

A UNHCR-chartered Boeing 777 flew in this morning with 91 metric tonnes of aid, including much needed shelter materials, jerry cans, blankets, sleeping mats and other essential items. The aid will be delivered to the refugee camps at Cox’s Bazar in south-eastern Bangladesh. A second flight donated by United Arab Emirates (UAE) is scheduled to land at 14:15 this afternoon local time, bringing in some 1,700 family tents.

With the support of UNHCR, the Bangladeshi authorities are building a road network to facilitate access to refugee settlements in Kutupalong. Construction started with a 5 km road to connect the settlements to the main road leading to Cox's Bazar.

UNHCR has delivered five humanitarian airlifts which were loaded with supplied such as tents, plastic sheets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and kitchen sets. A sixth airlift is being scheduled.

UNHCR’s first diarrhoea treatment centre (20 beds) is now operational in Kutupalong. It was established in partnership with Gonoshathaya Kendra (GK) with the technical participation of Medical Teams International, under the Refugee Health Units. A second treatment centre should be operational by the end of the week in Nayapara. In total, UNHCR plans to open 4 to 6 diarrhoea treatment centres with a total capacity of 80 beds over the next six months.

The joint family counting exercise, led by the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and supported by UNHCR, was launched in Balukhali. A joint team of around 114 staff is collecting information on families, including vulnerabilities and specific needs, and geo-localising them through a mobile device. Refugee families will receive an RRRC card to facilitate harmonized assistance delivery.

The authorities and UNHCR have identified a site for a transit centre to temporarily host new arrivals before they are allocated a plot in Kutupalong extension. UNHCR is coordinating with partners to set up medical services, sanitation facilities, family reunification, and provision of food and water.