A $100,000 donation from an anonymous Australian family has helped fund the production of thousands of reusable masks for refugees living in Bangladesh’s overcrowded Cox’s Bazar camp.
The contribution made to Australia for UNHCR comes as aid workers battle to provide care for nearly one million refugees at the camp who are at heightened risk of COVID-19 infection.
Under the scheme, refugee women are paid to manufacture the reusable masks which are distributed for use in their community, providing additional income to many refugees already in a precarious situation.
So far, 42 refugee women have been given employment, producing over 37,600 masks.
Mother-of-five Kulsuma Khatun, who arrived in the Kutupalong camp as a child, is one of those providing for her family by making masks.
The initiative aims to produce at least 50,000 masks. Source: UNHCR
“I joined in mask production when the lockdown started and movement was restricted in the camps,” she said.
“I feel happy as the masks will be used by the refugee community and I contributed to my community.”
Minara Begum, 25, arrived in the camp from Myanmar in 2001.
Kulsuma Khatun is the only one in her family earning money. Source: Supplied: UNHCR
The mother of three was abandoned by her husband in 2016, but under the program, she now has the means to provide for her children’s education.
“I spent four to five hours a day to produce cloth masks based on design and materials,” she said.
“I am happy to earn this amount within the lockdown situation and spent some of my income to repay my previous loan ... the rest will be used for the purpose of the children’s educational expenses.”
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The mask-making enterprise was kickstarted by a $100,000 donation from an Australian family, who have wished to remain anonymous.
“We were really delighted that this particular donor - who hasn't donated before - came forward and was very open to our suggestion to fund this new initiative,” national director of Australia for UNHCR Naomi Steer said.
“They’re not names in the regular financial papers, but people who really have a sense of responsibly and supporting others.”
“It’s going to provide income to the women involved in their project, but also produce really important protective equipment for not only refugees but also the wider community in Cox's Bazar.”
'No distancing in the camps'
When Bangladesh was placed into lockdown to fight COVID-19, access to the Cox’s Bazar camp was restricted.
The UN refugee agency has reduced the number of people entering the camp by 80 per cent, with refugees given increased responsibility in delivering supplies and administering essential services.
Subrata Kumar Chakrabarty, the livelihood and economic inclusion officer for the UNHCR in Cox’s Bazar, said more than 26,000 residents there have been tested for the virus so far.
Out of those, more than 4,000 people have tested positive, with more than 60 deaths reported.
“If you see the population density in the camps, people are always with each other,” he said.
A health worker at the Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox's Bazar in April. Source: AP
“There is no distancing or anything - it’s not possible to do that distancing following the WHO guideline.”
With refugees at increased risk of infection due to the overcrowded conditions, the UNHCR devised the mask-making initiative to employ refugee women and increase the production of protective equipment.
The agency had already invested in sewing machines and other facilities, having upskilled several women in manufacturing sanitary pads and underwear for refugees in the camp.
“We thought that it is good to use the resources to produce masks, and women can do work and they can earn some money,” Mr Chakrabarty said.
“They are very happy because what they produce has been distributed among them, which means they're also contributing to their community.”
The program aims to manufacture 50,000 masks in its first run, with aspirations to expand the opportunity to more women.
“It was a good initiative and we are thankful to the donor who has provided funding for this,” Mr Chakrabarty said.
“Mass production, we are hoping to start from November again.”
The manufacturing of masks will go some way to improving the welfare and hygiene of residents of the camp.
Special treatment centres have also been established within the camp and funding to local hospitals has been increased. But the danger of the virus is likely to linger for some time, even after a vaccine becomes available.
“How long we have to wait we don't know,” Mr Chakrabarty said.
“It may be at the end of 2021 or even more.”
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
