Call for participation of locals in Rohingya response planning

Speakers at a dialogue yesterday demanded transparency in the Rohingya aid and participation of locals in the response planning as per the commitments of the UN agencies made in the Grand Bargain agreement. They also expressed their dissatisfaction at the preparations for the UN-led joint repatriation process (JRP) and the present coordination process.

Cox's Bazar NGO CSO Forum (CCNF), a platform of 42 local/national NGOs working on the Rohingya relief, along with COAST organised the dialogue titled "Rohingya Response and Grand Bargain Commitments: Aid Transparency and Solidarity Approach" at a resort of Kolatoli in Cox's Bazar with financial support of Oxfam. Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Abul Kalam was present at the programme as the chief guest.

Among others, Annika Sudland, Senior Advisor of Inter Sectoral Coordination Group (ISCG)), and Anita Kattakuzhy of Oxfam International and member of Global Localization Working Group, addressed the dialogue where Mujibul Haque Munir of COAST presented the keynote paper based on the report of a study on localisation in Rohingya response.

At their presentations, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury and Abu Murshed Chowdhury claimed that there are hardly any transparency and accountability in the $682 million fund received by UN agencies as well as the fund received by international NGOs for Rohingya relief.

In his speech, Abul Kalam said the government has long been emphasising on voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas. "As no Rohingya family was found interested to go back to their homeland, we never forced them." Annika Sudland said they want to work with everyone for the JRP 2019 under the leadership of the government so that everyone knows what everyone is doing.

Call for participation of locals in Rohingya response planning

Speakers at a dialogue yesterday demanded transparency in the Rohingya aid and participation of locals in the response planning as per the commitments of the UN agencies made in the Grand Bargain agreement. They also expressed their dissatisfaction at the preparations for the UN-led joint repatriation process (JRP) and the present coordination process. Coxs Bazar NGO CSO Forum (CCNF), a platform of 42 local/national NGOs working on the Rohingya relief, along with COAST organised the dialogue titled Rohingya Response and Grand Bargain Commitments: Aid Transparency and Solidarity Approach at a resort of Kolatoli in Coxs Bazar with financial support of Oxfam. Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Abul Kalam was present at the programme as the chief guest. Among others, Annika Sudland, Senior Advisor of Inter Sectoral Coordination Group (ISCG)), and Anita Kattakuzhy of Oxfam International and member of Global Localization Working Group, addressed the dialogue where Mujibul Haque Munir of COAST presented the keynote paper based on the report of a study on localisation in Rohingya response. At their presentations, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury and Abu Murshed Chowdhury claimed that there are hardly any transparency and accountability in the $682 million fund received by UN agencies as well as the fund received by international NGOs for Rohingya relief. In his speech, Abul Kalam said the government has long been emphasising on voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas. As no Rohingya family was found interested to go back to their homeland, we never forced them. Annika Sudland said they want to work with everyone for the JRP 2019 under the leadership of the government so that everyone knows what everyone is doing.