Right based civil society on Rohingya response oppose World Bank loanTransparency and Inclusive Participation Urged for Highest Services to Rohingya Refugees

Today a seminar title “Rohingya Response in Coxsbazar : Strategies and Inclusion in 2024” have held in RRRC (Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner) office conference room.

The seminar was organized CCNF (Coxsbazar CSO NGO Forum) and COAST Foundation.

It is chaired by RRRC Mr Mizanur Rahman, UNHCR representative Ms Yoko Akasaka and WFP Representative Ms Emmanula Mashayo, Mr. Vedha ISCG Deputy Leader, three local Union Parishad Chairman and several Union Parishad Members has participated.

The seminar was moderated by Zahangir Alam Member Secretary CCNF and Assistant Director COAST and Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Co – Chair CCNF and Executive Director COAST.

There were three keynote presentations, one on 3000 fisherman who were dependent on fishing at Naf river, since 2018 the fishing is banned, another on 14000 host community life who are encircled within the camps.

Both the study has been done by COAST Foundation and presentation done by Tanjir Uddin Roni, Head MEAL in COAST.

Mr Shahinur Islam, Assistat Director COAST has presented on JRP (Joint Response Planning) 2024.

77 % of the fisherman is not getting any support and 85 % of the host community encircled in the camps are not getting in relief support, these host community members getting difficulties to go in and out of the camps, especially for health and education facilities.

In respect of funding so far for each of the Rohingya families per month aid came around $ 246, while study found materials of around $ 69 ie, one forth has gone in the field. Survey said that it is the cost excluded management, education, and staff salary. So far, the response has raised average 65 % fund last year it is 50%.

Mr. Shahinur has also demanded clarity whether government taking loan for host community issue from World Bank, while they are giving grant for Rohingya refugees.

Ms. Yoko of UNHCR said that they are taking area-based approach. Ms Emanuela of WFP praised the effort, she said that such a discourse should be happened with wider participation of agencies.

Mr Vedha of ISCG (Inter Sectoral Coordination Group) Rohingya Response, said that, there are opportunity on different outcome of the studies and presentations in this seminar.

Union Parishad Chairman Moulana Nur Ahmed Anwari, Rashed Mohammed Ali and Female Union Parishad Member Marzina Akhter and Khurshida Begum has also spoken in the seminar.

Mr Mujibul Islam, Secretary Coxsbazar Press Club urged not to use underground water rather then to use surface water treatment to supply drinking water in the camps.

He also urged to ban use of plastics in the camps immediately. Mr. Anisul a NGO leader demand full transparency of pooled fund process in Rohingya response.

Mr Anish Assistant Superintendent of Police of APBN drawn attention on improvement of security infrastructure of the refugee camps.

Mr Mizanur Rahman RRRC who was also Charing the session said that host community is doing great sacrifice in hosting 1.1 millions of Rohingya refugees, government is determined for repatriation but there are different situation in Mayanmar at this moment. Until then we the nation have to show best effort toward refugees. Government is beware of the plight of fisherman community in Teknaf and host community living within the camps.