The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Friday that it has approved a $100 million grant assistance to help the displaced people sheltered in 32 camps in Bangladesh.

The ADB said the grant is the first of an envisaged package totalling $200 million to help Bangladesh develop basic infrastructure and services for displaced persons.

“The project has been developed and will be implemented in coordination with UN agencies, the World Bank, and other donors that are giving humanitarian relief such as food, water, medical aid, and temporary shelter.’’

Since August 2017, a large number of people have crossed the border from Rakhine State, Myanmar into Cox’s Bazar at the southeast tip of Bangladesh.

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The ADB said the displaced persons are living in 32 camps spread over the district.

“Providing food, shelter, health, sanitation, water and other essential services in the camps while fending off disease is a daily challenge to the displaced persons.

“If unaddressed, conditions are feared to worsen dramatically,’’ it said.

The ADB grant will support the displaced people sheltered in camps in the Ukhia and Teknaf sub-districts of Cox’s Bazar focusing on water supply and sanitation, disaster risk management, energy and roads.

According to the bank, the project will rehabilitate roads within the camps to connect essential food distribution and storage centres, hospitals, education facilities, and provide emergency access.

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It said that the grant will also be used to rehabilitate the road from Cox’s Bazar to Teknaf and other critical sections.

It will also address the need for water, power and strengthen risk management of natural disasters.