IOM opens SARI ITC facility in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp

News Desk

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has inaugurated a new Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Isolation and Treatment Facility (SARI ITC) in Cox’s Bazar to help Rohingyas cope better with the challenges posed by the Covid-19 crisis to the community. It is also contributing in other ways, including contact tracing, home-based care referrals and risk communication among the Rohingya community.

The 120-bed facility installed on 17 August via a collaborative effort by the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and IOM was opened at Rohingya Camp No-20 (Extension) inside the Kutupalong camp in Cox’s Bazar.

Md Mahbub Alam Talukdar, commissioner of RRRC Cox’s Bazar branch, inaugurated the healthcare center. The inauguration program was presided over by Manuel Pereira, deputy chief of IMO Bangladesh mission.

“We have tried our best to provide the best health care facilities to the Rohingya people of this area and I would say we have handled the situation better than most. I would also thank all the people involved who helped us to work through this difficult situation,” said Mahbub Talukdar.

The opening of SARI ITC is part of plans put in place by the government of Bangladesh and the health sector. In addition to ITCs, IOM is contributing in other ways, including contact tracing, home-based care referrals and risk communication among the community.

“We believe that together we can try to contain Covid-19, reduce suffering and prevent loss of life among the communities that we serve,” added Md Mahbub Alam Talukdar, commissioner of RRRC Cox’s Bazar branch.