Today, the Cox's Bazar CSO NGO Forum (CCNF) organized a press conference at the Cox's Bazar Press Club under the banner titled "UNHCR Undermines Local Organizations’ Capacity in Rohingya Response".

The press conference was moderated by CCNF Co-Chair Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, and attended by Abul Kashem, Executive Director, Help Cox's Bazar; Advocate Abu Musa, Executive Director, ADHIKAR Cox’s Bazar; Nurul Azim, ORNAB Cox’s Bazar; Md. Elias Miah, Executive Director, CEHRDF; Nurul Amin, Executive Director, SBSKS; Hosne Ara Rekha, YPSA; along with other CCNF members and journalists from print and electronic media.

Md. Shahinur Islam of COAST Foundation stated that UNHCR has discontinued all partnerships with local NGOs in Cox’s Bazar and instead awarded them to international NGOs and NGOs based outside the district.

He mentioned that this contradicts UNHCR’s own Guidelines on Localization published in October 2025, which emphasize strengthening local partnerships. Although some local NGOs were included in the 2025 partnership, UNHCR has decided that no local organization will receive funding during 2026–2029.

He also said this move disregards the proven capacity of local NGOs and violates the spirit of localization. Local NGOs, therefore, demand cancellation of the UNHCR 2026–2029 partnership decision.

Advocate Abu Musa highlighted that the World Bank has approved USD 700 million loans for local communities and grants for Rohingya, through projects to be implemented by the Government of Bangladesh and UN agencies. However, they have not included local NGOs/CSOs in this implementation plan.

He protested this discriminatory arrangement, stating that loans for locals and grants for Rohingya unfairly divide the community. He added that while new housing planned for the camps is welcome, it must be built using prefabricated materials, not permanent structures, and the designs must be made public in consultation with local government and CSOs.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury noted that since 2017, both local and international NGOs have played a crucial role in supporting Rohingya refugees.

He thanked INGOs for their technical expertise and fundraising capabilities, but stressed that international organizations such as ActionAid, ACTED, etc., should not compete with local NGOs for funds inside Bangladesh and should instead raise resources from their own countries of origin.

Md. Elias Miah said Cox’s Bazar faces frequent natural disasters and immense pressure on natural resources due to the refugee influx. Over 25 million liters of groundwater are extracted daily from Ukhia and Teknaf for the camps.

He urged an immediate halt to groundwater extraction to protect future water security for host communities.

As alternatives, he recommended treating water from the Naf River for camp supply and excavating surface ponds for rainwater harvesting.

He also demanded the recovery of 300 acres of agricultural land damaged by waste pollution around the camps.

Abul Kashem said that the Bangladesh government and the UN must declare how they will ensure access to World Bank funds for local NGOs/CSOs in Cox's Bazar.

He stressed that no imported NGOs from outside of Cox’s Bazar should be eligible for this fund.

It is noted that the presence of over one million Rohingya in Cox's Bazar represents one of the world’s largest and most prolonged humanitarian crises. While local communities and local NGOs played a critical frontline role since 2017, recent partnership decisions by UNHCR undermine the capacity of local NGOs/CSOs and fail to recognize them as equal partners in the humanitarian response.