On January 24, 2025, at 7.00 PM, a meeting was held at the COAST Cox’s Bazar Center with 42 representatives from various NGOs under CCNF, chaired by former Whip and District BNP President Shahjahan Chowdhury.
In his speech, Shahjahan Chowdhury stated that local NGOs are capable of quickly identifying the issues faced by the local population. He emphasized that we all need to plan for sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya community. There is no alternative to their sustainable repatriation. It is crucial for local NGOs to stay united for national interests, addressing not only the Rohingya crisis but also the improvement of local living conditions. He warned that if local residents become disgruntled, maintaining social harmony between the both communities will become very difficult.
In welcome address, CCNF Co-Chair Rezaul Karim Chowdhury mentioned that the security and law-and-order situation in the camps, especially in Ukhiya and Teknaf, is deteriorating with time. To manage the Rohingya crisis, it is necessary to reduce management costs, and local and national NGOs should implement field-level activities. He also stressed that UN agencies and international NGOs should focus on fundraising and enhancing the capacities of local and national NGOs.
Nilima Akter Chowdhury, President of Agrajattra, highlighted the importance of involving local and national NGOs and other key stakeholders before implementing the JRP.
The Chief Executive of Jago Nari said that the registration process for NGOs under the Cox’s Bazar District NGO Affairs Bureau is very complicated, and simplifying this process has become urgent.
Abul Kashem, Executive Director of Help Cox’s Bazar, pointed out that donor assistance is decreasing every year, and if this trend continues, addressing the Rohingya crisis will become more challenging. He urged donor agencies to play a stronger role in fundraising.
Executive Director of Pulse Bangladesh, Kalim, mentioned that the environmental devastation in Ukhiya, Teknaf, and Cox’s Bazar following the Rohingya influx in 2017 has been severe. He stressed the urgent need to establish an Environmental Recovery Fund, with the involvement of UN agencies and international NGOs.
Approximately 42 representatives from various NGOs affiliated with CCNF participated in the discussion. Other organizations such as CODEC, IPSA, Naujowan, ASEAN, SBSKS, Save the Kids, OPCA, CNS, JAKLEN Foundation, Wait N C, NONGOR, Mukti Cox’s Bazar, SEVA, CEHRDF, Step for Humanity, Ananda, Gonoshasthaya Kendra, and Nandanik also took part in the discussion.
A video of the activities of CCNF over the past five years was presented to all participants by the Member Secretary of CSO NGO Forum (CCNF), Zahangir Alam. The meeting concluded with a dinner invitation by CCNF Co-Chair Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.
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