WHO Cox’s Bazar: Rohingya emergency crisis - Situation Report: November 2024

In collaboration with other partners, WHO and the Health Sector Cox’s Bazar hosted a stakeholder symposium to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the subsequent 16 Days of Activism. The symposium aimed to enhance accountability, foster collaboration, and coordinate holistic referrals. The primary objective was to improve service delivery, access, safety, facility preparedness, and the overall quality of healthcare at health facilities in Teknaf, Ukhiya, and Cox’s Bazar districts.

In November 2024, the WHO-led Health Sector held regular monthly coordination meetings at Cox’s Bazar, Upazila, and Camp levels. These meetings provided health partners with situation analysis on health including epidemiology and disease surveillance (e.g., dengue, cholera), routine EPI and AFP & VPD surveillance, sexual and reproductive health, community health, emergency preparedness and response, and mental health activities and the JRP 2025. Through these meetings, WHO maintained its leadership role by actively coordinating the health response and disseminating essential information to Health Sector partners. 

The WHO-led Health Sector convened a Peer Review Team (PRT) meeting on November 19, 2024, to systematically review health project submissions for inclusion in the JRP 2025. Composed of representatives from the Health Sector SAG, the PRT evaluated the proposals based on criteria such as technical and operational relevance, feasibility, fundraising track record, coordination commitments, and adherence to humanitarian principles. Ultimately, the PRT recommended 15 out of the 23 projects for inclusion. 

WHO and the Health Sector Information Management Team have updated all their regular information management products for November 2024. The live interactive dashboards (4W, HeRAMS, training calendar, etc.) and other published products are available at: https://rohingyaresponse.org/sectors/coxs-bazar/health/ 

The GBViE team organised a training session for healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and medical in-charges, recognising their unique role in addressing the health and psychosocial needs of Gender-Based Violence or Intimate Partner Violence (GBV IPV) survivors. The training aimed to raise awareness among managers, policymakers, and health service implementers about GBV risk mitigation, fostering an informed health-sector response and enhancing the capacity of healthcare providers and multidisciplinary teams.