A network of local CSOs and NGOs in Cox’s Bazar to promote a human and gender responsive society through positive engagement with government.

Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka, 20th October 2020. Today Cox’s Bazar CSO NGO Forum (CCNF) a network of more than 50 CSO NGOs working in Rohingya response have organized a press conference on the eve of incoming donor conference to be held on 22nd October organized by UK, USA, UN and Japan. They have urged that “There should government and UN joint led single line and single pot fund in response management with the participation of local government, local CSO and refugee representatives along with RRRC, Deputy Commissioner and ISCG. They have also criticized the role of donor and developed countries and urged to redouble their effort for an early repatriation of Rohingya refugees’’.

The virtual press conference was moderated by Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Co-Chair CCNF and ED COAST; other speakers are Mr. Rashed Mahmud Ali, Chairman, Hnila Union, Teknaf; Mr. Abu Morshed Chowdhury Co-Chair CCNF, ED PHALS and President Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industries; Mr Bimal Dey Sarker, Chief Executive Officer, Mukti Coxsbazar; Mr. Johirul Alam, ED, IDF, Chottogram; Mr. Abul Kashem, ED HELP, Ukhiya; Ms. Neelima Akhter Chowdhury, President, Agrajattra, Cox’s Bazar; and Mr. Jahangir Alam, Member Secretary CCNF.

Mr. Rashed Mahmud Ali, the Union Chairman said that there are good attention on host community, but the fisherman community of Naf River is suffering still, he urged for full transparency of support to host community.

Mr Abu Morshed Chowdhury said that since long time CCNF was pleading for pooled fund to promote sustainable local CSO/NGOs and direct funding in view of the Grand Bargain commitment, which has also accepted in localization task report drafted under the leadership of UN agencies, but it is being delayed. He also said that since 2018 CCNF was urging the Joint Response Planning have to be security and conflict sensitive, in the backdrop of recent violence in camps he urged for involvement of local government and local CSOs for peace building.

Mr. Jahirul Alam of IDF, like Rohingya issue, Bangladesh is fully innocent of climate change problems too, but the country is worse sufferer. He urged donor must give a proportionate approach to the country and redouble their effort for repatriation as the only sustainable solution.

Mr. Bimal Dey Sarker of Mukti Cox’s Bazar said that, so far $ 2.63 billion aid has come for Rohingya which is around per family per month $ 432, study shows that only one third direct benefit has gone in field. He praise UN and INGO for doing a lot of good work, but due to the lack of aid transparency there are confusion among public.

Mr. Jahangir Alam praised the effort of UN and INGOs especially of UNHCR and IoM especially during COVID 19 pandemic. He said to optimize the use of aid resources, there should single line and single pot fund management led by jointly both government and UN agencies.

Ms. Neelima Akhter Chowdhury urged for full access of local government and CSO / NGOs access in ISCG (Inter Sectoral Coordination Group). Mr. Abul Kashem said that, response management have to be bottom up with the participation of local actors and refugee representatives. Press Release [Bangla] [English], Position Paper [Bangla] [English], [Short English Statement]
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