Our Correspondent, Kurigram :
A Sharing Meeting was held on Tuesday morning concerning “Promoting Social Awarness among the Char Dwellers and Covid-19 Context” in the Conference Room of Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Kurigram to raise social awareness amongst the people of char areas.
The meeting was organized by Friendship Inclusive Citizenship Sector (IC). Rezaul Karim, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Kurigram graced the occasion as the Chief Guest while Md. Hafizur Rahman, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kurigram attended the meeting as Special Guest. The meeting was chaired by Md. Kamal Uddin, Director, Friendship. Besides, Civil Surgeon of Kurigram Dr. Habibur Rahman,Sub-District Executive Officers of Chilmari and Sub-district Chairman, chairmen and members of different unions, other distinguished government officials, journalists of print and electronic media, members of the civil society and representatives of other development organizations actively participated the meeting.
During the meeting, the chief guest Rezaul Karim stated that only the Government bodies cannot single handedly ensure the effective service deliveries among the remotest char people of Kurigram. For that matter close coordination among all the development organizations and the different Government bodies are required. Karim highly appreciated Friendship’s activities in the char areas of Kurigram.
He also stressed on more active roles of Friendship to ensure the health, education and legal aid service deliveries to the door steps of underprivileged communities of chars in Kurigram. Ahmed Toufiqur Rahman, Assistant Director, Inclusive Citizenship, Friendship, highlighted the overview of Friendship, while Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan, Manager, Inclusive Citizenship, Friendship, gave presentation on IC activities in the Char areas. In addition, Abu Muhammad Shihab, Team Leader, Inclusive Citizenship, Friendship, showcased IC’s work in the Rohingya Camps, Ukhia, Cox’s Bazar, over the past years.
In essence, IC’s efforts to connect the char communities with the formal legal system along with Friendship’s holistic and innovative approach to provide various services was upheld through these different presentations and discussions. IC’s work with different union councils of the area to prevent domestic violence, dowry, polygamy, sexual abuse, child marriage, etc. was highly praised by the speakers. In concluding, Md. Kamal Uddin, Director, Friendship emphasized on strengthening the activities of Friendship with different departments of local government of Kurigram.
He also sought for government supports to expedite IC’s efforts to connect the poor and marginalized char people of Kurigram district to legal aid services.It is said that Friendship is one of the leading NGOs in Bangladesh which is founded by Ms. Runa Khan in 2002. Since its inception the organziation has been working for the most underprivileged people and hard to reach areas of Bangladesh particularly the Northern and Sothern part of the country. Ms. Runa Khan is also the Executive director of this organization.Friendship Luxembourg and ERIKS Development Partner has supported this meeting.
