Ensure transparency in int’l dev assistance

A forum of Non-Government Organisations (NGO) and Civil Society Organisations (CSO) yesterday urged transparency and best uses of all international humanitarian and development assistance, in a virtual press conference.

The leaders of BDCSO process -- a forum of around 700 NGOs and CSOs -- also urged international agencies to avoid luxurious expenses in this regard. Leaders also presented a 22-point declaration which was approved earlier in the organisations' annual conference held in October.

The leaders also urged all international agencies to devolve the responsibility of implementation of the projects to local NGOs and CSOs, by limiting their role to monitoring and technical assistance only.

National coordinator of BDCSO Process Rezaul Karim Chowdhury moderated the virtual press conference, where executive director of COAST Trust Mustafa Kamal Akhanda and divisional leaders of the coalition shared different demands of the declaration.

"All international agencies should use Bangla language in the country; should ensure full transparency of their funding process and make themselves free from conflict of interest." said Arifur Rahman, a leader from Chottogram.

Asaduzzaman Sheikh from Khulna said there should be technology and knowledge transfer to local authorities and expatriates should be appointed by necessity, and it should not be supply-driven.

"Donor agencies should fund local NGOs and CSOs with no intermediaries, and should reconsider the due diligence," said Sayed Yesmin from Rangpur.

Masuda Faruque Ratna, from Dhaka, urged international agencies to adhere to aid transparency principles, amd to examine what is luxury and necessity in their expenditure culture.

The virtual conference was held at On October 6, 8 and 10. PKSF Chairman Quazi Kholiquzzam Ahmad inaugurated the conference.