The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) wants Bangladesh to make the best use of its presence, resources and experience saying it remains ready to ‘act fast’ and in a ‘coordinated way’ to reach those who need humanitarian assistance.
“I think, the humanitarian work is never finished. There’s always more to be done,” outgoing ICRC Deputy Head of Delegation in Bangladesh Boris Kelecevic told UNB in an interview on Tuesday.
Boris said they have come a long way in Bangladesh in terms of their works and activities though they consider the current phase as a ‘consolidation phase’ after resuming their activities in 2006 having the biggest humanitarian assistance ICRC provided back in 1971.
It re-established its presence in 2006, focusing on promotion of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and support to Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS).
In 2010, the ICRC in Bangladesh signed the headquarters agreement with the government and started to protect and assist people affected by politically motivated, inter-communal violence and natural disaster.
Keeping in mind the historical trend of Bangladesh elections, he said the ICRC is going to focus very much on remaining prepared for extending support to the people if there is any ‘politically motivated’ violence centering elections.
Responding to a question, the ICRC official said the situation, in general, is definitely very challenging but the ICRC is the only organisation which has been able to work in a very difficult situation.
He, however, said he would not agree if anybody claims that the relevance of ICRC is not there.
“Our budget has grown over the past several years and our ambition has grown. I would say we could always do more. But there’re very few actors such as ICRC (which are active),” Boris explained.
Talking about challenges while executing their programmes here, the ICRC official said there have always been challenges but those challenges allowed them to ‘grow and engage’ with their partners here to work more actively.
“Yes, there were operational challenges but these challenges are quickly addressed,” Boris, a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, added.
The ICRC through the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) recently distributed foodstuff to 3,200 families (19,000 people), who fled Rakhine State in Myanmar and are residing with host communities in Bangladesh.
Talking about Rohingya situation, Boris said, “From humanitarian aspects, the international community can do a lot. Individually as an organisation and collectively, we’re trying to do more.”
He, however, said such support cannot resolve the root cause of the problem.
“We’ll continue to follow up the situation. We’re trying to do our best (as humanitarian org),” said the ICRC official.
On government’s measures after July-1 terrorist attack, Boris said, “We welcome the measures taken by the government primarily for its citizens; foreigners and diplomats. It (govt measures) did allow ICRC to remain operational.”
“ICRC always remains aware of security risk. We would never expect to be a target because of the works we are doing which are purely humanitarian works and only for the benefits of the people,” said the ICRC official.
Boris said his very first contact with Bangladesh and its people had been in 1994 when he used to receive humanitarian assistance from the neighboring countries through the checkpoint of UN peacekeepers.
“I remember where I met people from Bangladesh for the first time. I was always offered a warm cup of tea (by BD peacekeepers),” the ICRC official recalled his memory in an emotion chalked voice.
He thanked the Bangladeshi peacekeepers for their role in very difficult time for the Bosnia and Herzegovina which gained independence in 1992.
