A meeting on the Rohingya crisis was held today (24 January), at the COAST Cox's Bazar Center, bringing together 42 representatives from various NGOs under the Cox’s Bazar CSO-NGO Forum (CCNF).
The session was chaired by former Whip and District BNP President Shahjahan Chowdhury, reads a press release.
During the meeting, Shahjahan Chowdhury emphasised the urgent need for sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya community. “Local NGOs are well-positioned to identify and address the challenges faced by the local population,” he said, urging for unity among NGOs to safeguard national interests. He also warned that local dissatisfaction could strain social harmony between the host community and the Rohingyas.
In his welcome remarks, CCNF Co-Chair Rezaul Karim Chowdhury highlighted worsening security issues in the Rohingya camps of Ukhiya and Teknaf. He called for cost-effective management of the crisis and urged international organizations to focus on capacity-building and fundraising for local and national NGOs.
Nilima Akter Chowdhury, President of Agrajattra, stressed the importance of involving local stakeholders in implementing the Joint Response Plan (JRP). Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of Jago Nari pointed out the complexity of NGO registration processes in Cox’s Bazar, calling for simplification.
Other participants addressed critical challenges, including dwindling donor funding and environmental impacts caused by the Rohingya influx. Abul Kashem, Executive Director of Help Cox’s Bazar, highlighted the decline in donor assistance, which he said could impede crisis management efforts. Kalim, Executive Director of Pulse Bangladesh, underscored the severe environmental degradation in Ukhiya, Teknaf, and Cox’s Bazar, advocating for the establishment of an Environmental Recovery Fund with support from UN agencies and international NGOs.
Representatives from organisations such as CODEC, IPSA, Naujowan, ASEAN, SBSKS, Save the Kids, and Mukti Cox’s Bazar actively participated in the discussion.
The event concluded with a presentation by Zahangir Alam, Member Secretary of CCNF, showcasing the network’s achievements over the past five years, followed by a dinner hosted by CCNF Co-Chair Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.
The meeting reinforced the need for collaboration among local, national, and international organizations to address the multifaceted Rohingya crisis, ensuring both sustainable solutions and the well-being of the host community.
