Staff Reporter :
Cox’s Bazar Civil Society and NGO Forum (CCNF), a network of sixty local organisations, on Wednesday underscored the need for collective efforts and planning to cope with the reduced level of aid for the Rohingyas under the global crisis.
They have also urged the government and the international community to make arrangement for the Rohingyas for their engagement in meaningful work until their repatriation.
The demands were voiced at a webinar titled “Humanitarian Response to Forcefully Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN)”, organised by CCNF, with Shireen Huq
of Naripokka in the chair and KM Tariqul Islam, Director General of NGO Affairs Bureau was the Chief Guest.
Johannes van der Klaauw, Country Representative of UNHCR, Abdusattar Esoev, Country Representative of IoM, Sheila Gurdum of WFP’s Head of Field Office, Dilruba Haider of UN Women, Jahangir Kabir Chowdury, Chairman of Rajapalong Union of Ukhiya participated.
The webinar was moderated by Abu Morshed Chowdhury, Executive Director of PHALS, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury and Zahangir Alam of COAST.
KM Tariqul Islam, Director General NGO Affairs Bureau said, “Aid for Rohingya response is being declined for global crisis. So, the government and the donor agencies should find pragmatic ways to attract global donors.”
“Collective efforts are needed for sustainable and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas,” Abdussattar Eosev said.
Arifur Rahman of YPSA in a keynote presentation demanded for the transparency of aid and urged the UN and the INGOs to limit its role for fundraising, monitoring and technical assistance and the local NGOs should be allowed to lead the field operation.
Shireen Huq urged the government to consider signing the Geneva Convention on Refugees while Ashis Damle of Oxfam requests INGOs to initiate a global campaign so that there will be early repatriation and there will be consistent attention on Rohingya issues.
Dilruba Haider of UN Women said that Rohingya women in the camp now want to participate in the activities to resist violence against women.
About the importance of local NGOS, Johannes van der Klaauw said, “The role of local NGOs is very important along with the UN agencies. The INGOs should give importance in this regard.”
The speakers of the webinar also sought the attention of the concerned authorities on plastic use in the camps and stopping the excessive use of groundwater.
