Bridging communities in Cox’s Bazar: mitigating risks and promoting gender, governance and localization of humanitarian responses in COVID-19 era

This project aims to assist policymaking and civic engagement in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, both within refugee communities and between host and refugee communities in Bangladesh. A rapid and longitudinal research study on the safety and security concerns of vulnerable refugee groups will provide evidence that can build tolerance and peace-building initiatives and enhance the psychosocial well-being of refugees and host communities.

The study will emphasize collaboration between refugee communities, host communities, humanitarian actors, and governments. The aim is to co-create new approaches to promote greater localization of humanitarian interventions and use a gender-transformative lens in relation to acutely vulnerable groups. Research findings and recommendations will be shared through meetings and dialogues with government representatives, volunteers, community-based organizations, local non-governmental organizations, and UN agencies using online and offline platforms.