‘Redouble efforts to repatriate Rohingyas’

Civil society groups based in Cox's Bazar have called for the international community to redouble efforts for quick repatriation of Rohingyas, saying that Bangladesh itself is facing multiple challenges brought on by climate change and Covid-19. 

Prolonged flooding this year alone has caused displacement of 2.5 million people in the country, while the pandemic has pushed poverty rate to 30 percent, they said.

More than three years after the influx of some 7,50,000 Rohingyas, the international humanitarian assistance is also dwindling, adding further pressure to the local economy, livelihood, ecology and infrastructure, they added.

Cox's Bazar CSO NGO Forum (CCNF) observed these at a virtual press conference yesterday, ahead of a donor's conference, which will be co-hosted by the US, UK, European Union and UN Refugee Agency tomorrow.

"For the last three years, local fishers are almost failing to catch fish as Rohingyas are involved in fishing. Thus, their income has dwindled in Teknaf," said Rashed Mohamad Ali, UP chairperson of Hnila-2 in Teknaf.

Zahirul Alam, executive director of Integrated Development Foundation, said, "We want developed countries to work with Myanmar for early repatriation," adding that unfortunately, many of the countries are improving business ties with Myanmar, which has been accused of genocide.

CCNF Co-chair Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said despite repeated demands over the last three years, UN and other INGOs have not been able to empower local NGOs nor reduce their operation costs.

Citing a CCNF study, he said till October 15 this year, development partners provided $2.6 billion for Rohingyas, which is around $423 per Rohingya family each month, but in reality, per family received services worth $130.

MUKTI Cox's Bazar CEO Bimal Dey Sarker said there is serious lack of transparency in the utilisation of funds for Rohingyas. According to Grand Bargain commitment, at least 25 percent of humanitarian assistance should be used for locals, but there is no accountability in this regard.

CCNF Co-chair Abu Murshed Chowdhury said Inter-Sector Coordination Group (ISCG), which coordinates humanitarian assistance, imposes so many conditions for local NGOs that they hardly have access to funds coming through ISCG.

"Our priority is Rohingya repatriation. Until then, management costs must be improved and local NGOs be given priority for implementation. UN and INGOs should provide only technical assistance and monitoring services," he said.