In light of the exceptional circumstances that the world currently witnessing, as a result of the new Corona Virus pandemic, and with the rapid and successive developments of the crisis and its many repercussions that are not limited to the health aspects only, but also extending to involve economic and social aspects that affect the lives of hundreds of millions in different countries of the world, there is an urgent need for concerted efforts, cooperation and coordination among all parties.

The IsDB is playing a pivotal role in the war against the pandemic. This is based on the important role played by the IsDB with its great experiences, over more than forty years, in implementing more than 11,000 development projects  performed through an active relationships with many regional and international institutions working in the development field. For the same end, the Bank is also harnessing its  growing partnerships with the charitable institutions, which entrusted  the Bank to manage their donations, such as the Lives and Livelihood Fund, in which King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) is participating, and the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdelaziz Program for Charity Works (KAAP) sponsored by the King Abdullah Humanitarian Foundation.

The KAAP continues to extend aid to the needy in many countries to enable them to face the repercussions of the Novel Corona Virus Pandemic (COVID-19). The program works closely with governmental and non-governmental agencies in 16 countries to implement 19 diversified projects aimed at providing urgent support to the health and education sectors.

On Monday, the 6^th of April 2020 (13 Shaban 1441H) an agreement was signed to establish the Rapid  Response Center in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, including building of facilities, equipping them with the required materials, and providing specialized medical staff to deal with the spread of the pandemic. This initiative is distinguished as one of the first quick response initiatives which prepares for facing the spread of the Corona virus in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh. Also, this will contribute greatly, God willing, to provide the necessary protection and mitigate the risks of the spread of the virus. The step is a source of confidence and reassurance to the refugee community in this camp, which of a very high density as it is one of the largest refugee camps in the world hosting more than 600,000 refugees.

Through the project, awareness and education programs will be conducted on ways that help to avoid infection, prevent the spread of the virus, and provide necessary care around the clock, seven days a week, for those who need it most.

The project is implemented in partnership with the Hope Foundation (HOPE Foundation).

The project includes the following components:

• The establishment of the Corona Virus Response Center to diagnose and isolate patients suspected of contracting the virus, and the center will be affiliated to the field hospital previously established and operational by the King Abdullah Charity Program (KAAP) since 2018.
• Providing the necessary medical and administrative staff.
• Providing cadres with personal protective equipment from the epidemic.
• Providing temperature sensors and medical laboratory equipment.
• Establishing health and awareness-raising educational programs on the pandemic and ways for protection.

Indeed, the medical team began examining the patients and activating the protocol for dealing with suspected cases. Meanwhile, construction work is underway.

It is noteworthy that so far the services of the field hospital established by the KAAP in the Rohingya refugee camps in the Cox’s Bazar in 2018 have benefited more than 415,000 patients. Also, the KAAP program which is implemented by the Islamic Development Bank under the auspices of the King Abdullah Humanitarian Foundation is intensifying its efforts during the crisis of the emergence of the COVID 19 pandemic to help countries with limited capabilities and needy societies to face the repercussions of this global pandemic.