IICO launches housing a project for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

KUWAIT: The International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO) announced on Monday the successful implementation of the first phase of a housing project for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The initiative, which aims to improve living conditions for vulnerable communities, includes the construction of 175 solar-powered housing units designed to accommodate approximately 1,050 individuals.

In a press statement, IICO revealed that the project’s first phase was fully funded at a cost exceeding KD 31,943 (around $104,000). The housing units are part of the organization’s broader humanitarian efforts to provide safe shelter, protect families from harsh weather, and ensure greater privacy and security in overcrowded refugee camps.

The statement noted that the housing structures were built using practical and sustainable materials, such as bamboo and cement, with weather-resistant roofing made from plastic and straw — materials well-suited to the area’s climate conditions year-round. Each unit spans roughly 16 square meters and is equipped with solar-powered lighting systems, replacing hazardous kerosene lamps that have been linked to frequent and destructive fires in the camps.

IICO reaffirmed its commitment to humanitarian relief and development, emphasizing its ongoing strategic partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which dates back to the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2000. The organization reiterated its resolve to expand its efforts in supporting displaced and vulnerable populations through sustainable development solutions that align with its core mission to empower communities worldwide. – KUNA