At least 10 refugees, including young children, have been killed in such incidents at the camp.
The
camp lies along the migratory route between Myanmar and Bangladesh used
by the critically endangered Asian elephants, the UNHCR said in a
statement.
The ‘tusk force’ will install watch-towers at key
lookout points around the settlement and organise an Elephant Response
Team to raise an alarm if elephants enter the camp. The programme will
also set up elephant routes and corridors so refugees know what areas to
avoid during an incident. It will also implement an awareness campaign
regarding the risks.
“This partnership is critical not only to
ensure the conservation of elephants, but to protect refugees, a number
of whom have tragically already lost their lives,” said Kevin Allen,
UNHCR’s head of emergency operations in Cox’s Bazar district.
The
project is part of wider initiatives by the organisations to mitigate
the environmental impact of the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.
They
also plant to raise awareness among refugees and locals about the
importance of forest resources and ways to improve the environment in
the refugee camps and the surrounding areas.
Project leaders will also advocate for reforestation efforts in the area.
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