UNB, Dhaka :
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will have a stronger presence in its key operational activities in Bangladesh further scaling up its ongoing humanitarian activities, says ICRC Operations Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific Valerie Aubert.
“We’ve got the trust and support from the authorities to scale up our presence through Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS),” she told UNB in an interview during her short stay in Dhaka.
Responding to a question on massive influx of Rohingyas, she said increasing activities are already visible with the new influx. “In January, it appeared clear it was becoming massive and more support is needed.”
Started in June 2014, the ICRC provides support to improve medical services and infrastructure in two ICRC-BDRCS-supported health centres in Ukhiya and Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar. This support is bringing improved healthcare services closer to the refugees and host communities in both the sub-districts.
Asked about government’s relocation plan of Rohingyas to a new place, Aubert said, “I don’t think it’ll happen overnight. We have to assess the condition on the ground whether it is feasible.”
The government has decided to relocate Rohingyas to Thengar Char, an Island next to Hatiya Island in the Bay of Bengal, to ensure humanitarian assistance to the Myanmar nationals.
The ICRC official said they are now focusing on the population where they are staying.
Asked about the support of international aid actors on Rohingya issue, she said, “It’s scaling up. All the main actors are now getting ready to come up with assistance. The coordination issue will be the key.”
Aubert, a Swiss national, said they are focusing on quality works with steady deployment. “Progressively, we want to be more active with more presence in CHT,” said the ICRC official. In the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), the ICRC supports to enhance resilience in the most vulnerable households through ICRC-supported livelihood support programme of the BDRCS.
Responding to a question on effective aid models, Aubert said they want to remain effective and transparent in its activities. “You need to have the trust of the authorities. We need to have a close dialogue, and we do everything transparently with good assessments on the ground.”
Asked about security situation in Bangladesh, Aubert who joined the ICRC in 2002 said the authorities in Bangladesh have taken many steps improving the security of humanitarian actors in Bangladesh-be in Dhaka and in the field-level. “It seems they’re very supportive.”
Talking about social inclusion through ICRC efforts, the official mentioned that they are exploring ways including sports events to convey humanitarian message to every corner of the society.
“Sports are also good way to convey humanitarian message widely and effectively,” she said adding that they will try to engage females in sports events in the future in collaboration with national and international sports bodies.
Appreciating the role of BDRCS, Aubert said, “This is the key of our presence in Bangladesh. Almost all activities and deployment are done in a very close partnership with BDRCS.”
Those wounded during instances of violence are given first aid by BDRCS teams, which continued to receive financial, technical and material assistance from the ICRC, she said.
With the ICRC covering the cost of their treatment, transport, accommodation and meals, some 1000 people obtained rehabilitation services at the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP) branches.
ICRC/BDRCS-supported family-links services help people in Bangladesh restore or maintain contact with their relatives abroad, she mentioned.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will have a stronger presence in its key operational activities in Bangladesh further scaling up its ongoing humanitarian activities, says ICRC Operations Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific Valerie Aubert.
“We’ve got the trust and support from the authorities to scale up our presence through Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS),” she told UNB in an interview during her short stay in Dhaka.
Responding to a question on massive influx of Rohingyas, she said increasing activities are already visible with the new influx. “In January, it appeared clear it was becoming massive and more support is needed.”
Started in June 2014, the ICRC provides support to improve medical services and infrastructure in two ICRC-BDRCS-supported health centres in Ukhiya and Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar. This support is bringing improved healthcare services closer to the refugees and host communities in both the sub-districts.
Asked about government’s relocation plan of Rohingyas to a new place, Aubert said, “I don’t think it’ll happen overnight. We have to assess the condition on the ground whether it is feasible.”
The government has decided to relocate Rohingyas to Thengar Char, an Island next to Hatiya Island in the Bay of Bengal, to ensure humanitarian assistance to the Myanmar nationals.
The ICRC official said they are now focusing on the population where they are staying.
Asked about the support of international aid actors on Rohingya issue, she said, “It’s scaling up. All the main actors are now getting ready to come up with assistance. The coordination issue will be the key.”
Aubert, a Swiss national, said they are focusing on quality works with steady deployment. “Progressively, we want to be more active with more presence in CHT,” said the ICRC official. In the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), the ICRC supports to enhance resilience in the most vulnerable households through ICRC-supported livelihood support programme of the BDRCS.
Responding to a question on effective aid models, Aubert said they want to remain effective and transparent in its activities. “You need to have the trust of the authorities. We need to have a close dialogue, and we do everything transparently with good assessments on the ground.”
Asked about security situation in Bangladesh, Aubert who joined the ICRC in 2002 said the authorities in Bangladesh have taken many steps improving the security of humanitarian actors in Bangladesh-be in Dhaka and in the field-level. “It seems they’re very supportive.”
Talking about social inclusion through ICRC efforts, the official mentioned that they are exploring ways including sports events to convey humanitarian message to every corner of the society.
“Sports are also good way to convey humanitarian message widely and effectively,” she said adding that they will try to engage females in sports events in the future in collaboration with national and international sports bodies.
Appreciating the role of BDRCS, Aubert said, “This is the key of our presence in Bangladesh. Almost all activities and deployment are done in a very close partnership with BDRCS.”
Those wounded during instances of violence are given first aid by BDRCS teams, which continued to receive financial, technical and material assistance from the ICRC, she said.
With the ICRC covering the cost of their treatment, transport, accommodation and meals, some 1000 people obtained rehabilitation services at the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP) branches.
ICRC/BDRCS-supported family-links services help people in Bangladesh restore or maintain contact with their relatives abroad, she mentioned.
