NATURAL DISASTERS LEFT MILLIONS IN NEED OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN 2023, INCLUDING ADOLESCENT GIRLS

Cyclone Mocha struck the coast near the BangladeshMyanmar border on 14 May 2023. Heavy rains and strong winds caused damage and destruction to shelters and public facilities, which are primarily constructed of bamboo and tarpaulin, across 33 Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. This impacted over 40,000 Rohingya refugees and neighbouring Bangladeshi communities. In Teknaf upazila approximately 11,000 houses were damaged and over 50,500 individuals were affected. A Joint Needs Assessment identified food, shelter, and water as the most immediate priorities, with a particular focus on ensuring access to these services for the most vulnerable women, girls, and persons with disabilities. The assessment also revealed significant damage to public facilities related to education, nutrition, and protection.