Dhaka, 24 August, 2023. On August 25, 2017, nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees fled Myanmar’s brutal genocide, seeking refuge in Bangladesh. As the 6th year of this tragic event approaches, Cox’s Bazar CSO and NGO Forum (CCNF) along with Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) have issued a joint statement demanding justice and accountability for the ethnic genocide. The organizations also strongly condemn the global community’s double standards in addressing the Rohingya crisis.

The statement underscores that despite six years passing, a sustainable resolution to the crisis remains elusive. Bangladesh’s compassionate act of opening its borders to provide sanctuary for the oppressed Rohingya community has now placed the responsibility of resolving the crisis largely on the nation.

The statement emphasizes that addressing the Rohingya crisis should have been a collaborative effort involving international organizations, particularly the United Nations, which has been hindered by certain member states’ negative influence. This failure exposes a substantial gap in the UN’s designated role and raises concerns about the credibility of various countries and organizations.

The joint statement from CCNF and EquityBD strongly denounces the inconsistent positions taken by multiple nations and organizations concerning the Rohingya crisis. It asserts that Myanmar’s military junta is systematically conducting ethnic genocide against the Rohingya population in Rakhine. The organizations urge the imposition of strict penalties on those responsible for the atrocities.

The statement highlights the ongoing suffering of the Rohingya people, who continue to endure the aftermath of brutalities committed by the Myanmar army. Despite undeniable evidence of ethnic genocide, the United Nations and several nations have failed to take decisive action, revealing a distressing hypocrisy.

CCNF and EquityBD call upon Western nations and human rights organizations to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete actions. While acknowledging their role in advocating for refugee rights, the organizations stress the need for a resolute response to the Rohingya crisis, rooted in genuine commitment to justice.

The organizations point out the systemic failure of global mechanisms in addressing the Rohingya crisis. The unchecked actions of the Myanmar army and the repeated inability of the UN to address the issue highlight the gravity of the situation, underscoring a troubling hypocrisy.

CCNF and EquityBD also highlight the evident double standards present. Some Western nations, while vocal in supporting refugee rights, have inadequately addressed the Rohingya crisis, revealing an incongruity between their advocacy for Rohingya refugees and their silence on the atrocities committed by the Myanmar army.

Amid these concerns, the vulnerability of Rohingya refugees has escalated due to insufficient funding. The 2023, seeking USD 876 million, remains only 24.6% funded as of June 1. This dire situation has led to cutbacks in crucial programs and activities, affecting the refugees’ basic needs.

The joint statement concludes with a plea to the international community for immediate action, a unified global response, urgent funding and support, diplomatic pressure for safe repatriation, and an end to complicity in supporting Myanmar’s government.

Download [Bangla Press] [English Press] [Statement on Rohingya]

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Virtual Discussion on World Humanitarian Day 2023

Dhaka, 19 August 2023: Speakers emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and security of aid workers in Bangladesh, particularly those engaged in humanitarian responses to the Rohingya crisis. They spoke during a virtual dialogue organized by COAST Foundation, Cox’s Bazar CSO-NGO Forum (CCNF) and BDCSO Coordination Process on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day.

The virtual dialogue, titled “No Matter What – Together we stand beside affected communities – Empower local actors,” was moderated by M Mustafa Kamal Akanda, Director of COAST Foundation. The event’s keynote presentation was delivered by Md. Iqbal Uddin from the same organization. Distinguished participants included Mr. Abu Morshed Chowdhury, Co-Chair of Cox’s Bazar CSO-NGO Forum (CCNF); Mr. Ariful Islam, Chief Executive of YPSA; Ms. Nilima Jahan of Agrajatra; Amir Hossain of NGO Platform; Sheikh Asad of Udayan Bangladesh; Khandakar Faruk Ahmed associated with Trinomul Unnayan Sangtha (TUS) Foundation; and Mujibur Rahman, Advisor of Shushilan. The occasion was inaugurated by Sanat Kumar Bhowmik, Deputy Executive Director of COAST Foundation.

During his keynote presentation, Md. Iqbal Uddin outlined vital recommendations. These encompassed advocating for the welfare, dignity, and survival of all, condemning acts against aid workers, and ensuring equitable compensation, essential facilities, life insurance, and comprehensive local staff support. He also emphasized dedicating 25% of direct funding to local organizations.

Abu Murshed Chowdhury acknowledged the pivotal role of frontline aid workers in humanitarian responses. He advocated for a risk-sharing concept that involves all partners, including donors, to ensure project design incorporates risk management.

Ms. Nilima Jahan emphasized the need to create a positive environment for female humanitarian workers at camp levels and provide them with necessary logistical support. Khandakar Faruk Ahmed suggested allowing non-registered organizations to work as associated entities in emergency projects. Amir Hossain of NGO Platform advocated for direct funding from donors to local organizations to minimize costs and promote local leadership. Sheikh Asad highlighted the need for effective implementation of the Grand Bargain agreement. Mujibur Rahman, Advisor of Shushilan, called for equal treatment of local, national, and INGOs and urged the implementation of the Grand Bargain. Arifur Rahman of YAPSA stressed the need for direct funding to Bangladeshi NGOs to ensure cost-effectiveness, as intermediary organizations often absorb a significant amount of funds as their overhead or operational costs, leaving local organizations at the forefront without the necessary support.

Download Press Release [Bangla] [English]
Leaflet for World Humanitarian Day 2023 [Bangla] [English]
Presentation for World Humanitarian Day 2023 [Bangla] [English]

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Dhaka 05 June 2023, in a press conference today, Civil Society (CSOs) and experts have demanded at least 3.2% of GDP [Gross Domestic Product] resource for climate financing through national budgetary process in every year. They also demand government to measurable steps by reforming Tax and financial system to stop capital flight for necessary resources mobilization domestically for climate financing. The press conference is jointly organized by COAST Foundation, CPRD [Center for Participatory Research & Development] and CSRL [Centre for Sustainable Rural Livelihood], EquityBD [Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh], AOSED [An Organization for Socio-Economic Development]-Khulna, CANSA-BD [Climate Action Network on South Asia-Bangladesh] and LEDARS-Satkhira. M. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of COAST has moderated the event.

Aminul Hoque said that, government has been allocating a portion of budgetary money for Disaster Management purpose since its independence. This money just shifted in the name of climate finance to show the donors which does not commensurate the present climate context and its requirements in achieving climate resilient Bangladesh. He also shown that government strategic climate plans like Delta plan 2100, Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan 2030 and NDC [National Determined Contribution etc.] is required around 3.2% of GDP [BDT 1,83,000 crore/year] investment every year where allocation is far less against target. In this context, he put a few demands regarding climate financing issues are (i) Government must ensure at least 3.2% of GDP as climate financing according to their strategic plans and real time implementation, (ii) Govt. should think for an Integrated national climate budget instead of separate climate finance which is hardly realistic, (iii) Government should not go with foreign loan for climate financing and will have to manage resource through domestic process benefiting the mass level of investors (iv) Govt. must be taken appropriate measures stopping capital flight for domestic resource mobilization and (iv) Integrated coastal protection program as one of the prioritized investment sectors for saving and developing the coastal livelihood.

Md. Ziaul Hoque Mkuta from CSRL said there are lack of policy coherence among the government climate plans like Delta plan and Mujib Climate Prosperity plan etc. Proposed 2023-24 budget is the output of these inconsistencies where no target on real climate financing. Government will have to emphasis the issues of strategic climate plans and allocate climate finance accordingly.

Md. Shamsuddoha of CPRD opine that government ministries are lack of capacity utilizing money and they don’t have sectoral plan which is one of the causes for separate climate financing. Apart, the ministries are also very much interested to take climate finance from the IFIs [International Financial Institutions] because there have little of accountability and transparency comparing finance through global climate financing process like sovereign donors. He recommended government ministries to develop their institutional capacity for having necessary climate finance.

Mr Shamim Arefinn of AOSED said that government has ignored coastal protection issues. That’s why climate induced displacement and migration being happened and increasing socio-economic imbalance. He hopes govt. will realize the issues as important and revise climate financing strategies accordingly.

Mr. Kawser Rahaman BCJF opine the proposed budget as IMF compliance which ignored the pro-poor demands with imposing regressive taxing like VAT. He demanded the budget revision and introduce resource tax for revenue mobilization. Md Ahsanul Karim demanded appropriate measure to stop capital flight in this regard. Mrs. Ferdous Ara Rumee criticized the budget for less focused to gender and demanded climate finance under safety Net program where climate vulnerable women will be benefited. Event moderator M. Rezaul Karim demand for an integrated coastal development plan and finance where disaster risk reduction, social development like health, technical education and employment generation program implements simultaneously and that will be a real protection and benefit the coastal people.

Please download [Bangla Press] [English Press] [Position Paper] [Presentation] [Press conference summary report]

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Dhaka, May 20, 2023 – At a seminar held in Dhaka, concerns were raised by speakers regarding the disparity between humanitarian needs and received funds. They stressed the importance of promoting aid localization to reduce operational costs. The seminar, titled “State of the Humanitarian System Report 2022: Bangladesh Perspective,” was organized by COAST Foundation with support from ANLAP, a London-based network of humanitarian agencies.

The seminar, held in the Lakeshore Hotel in Gulshan, was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of COAST Foundation. Jennifer Doherty of ANLAP presented the keynote. Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, Director General of the Department of Disaster Management, was the Chief Guest. Mr. Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Refugee Relief & Repatriation Commissioner, Ms. Gwyn Lewis, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Simon Lever, Councilor of British High Commission, and Ms. Nusrat Ghazzali, Deputy Chief Mission of IoM Bangladesh, were the Special Guests. Other guest speakers included Mr. KAM Morshed from BRAC, Mr. Gawher Nayeem Wahra from Disaster Forum, Mr. Sajid Rahman from Start Fund Bangladesh, Mr. Sanjeev Bhanja, Regional Director of Tear Fund Asia Region, and Mr. Mihir Bhatt from AIDM, India. Representatives from local and international NGOs, as well as UN agencies, also attended the seminar.

Ms. Jennifer highlighted the global escalation of conflicts, disasters, and displacement, further exacerbated by the pandemic. Forced displacement doubled to 89.3 million in 2021, with 161 million people facing acute food insecurity. The need for humanitarian aid surged to $255 million in 2021, projected to reach $339 million in 2023. Concentration of funding and limited support for UN agencies reveal vulnerabilities in the humanitarian system.

Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman (DG-DDM) emphasized Bangladesh’s progress in disaster management, highlighting the significant reduction in cyclone-related deaths. He stressed the need to strengthen capabilities in addressing earthquakes and landslides. Mr. Mohammed Mizanur Rahman (RRRC) highlighted the importance of addressing social tensions between Rohingya and host communities, along with challenges in Cox’s Bazar due to demographic imbalance and depleting water levels. Gwyn Lewis emphasized the impact of limited funding on supporting the Rohingya people and the necessity of doing better with less. Simon Lever stressed open discussions on localization efforts and ensuring the right support reaches the right people at the right time. Nusrat Gazali highlighted the importance of consolidating efforts between various organizations for effective humanitarian responses. Sanjeeb Bhanja emphasized aid effectiveness through intersectoral coordination, while K A M Morshed stressed the importance of globally accepted indicators and tailoring responses. Sajid Rahman highlighted the challenge of resource concentration. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury emphasized the need to grant decision-making authority to local staff, provide necessary facilities, and entrust leadership to local and national NGOs.

Among others, Rafael Sterling from FAO, Wendy McCance from NRC, Shabira Nupur from International Rescue Committee, Shuvankar Chakraborty from MAP Bangladesh, Barisal, Akbar Hossain from Rangpur Protibondi Foundation, Rangpur, Ahsan Uddin from NGOP, Cox’s Bazar, Masuda Faruque Ratna from GBSS, Dhaka, Saaikat Biswas from UNRC Office, Abul Kashem from Help, Ukhiya, and Saiful Islam Kolim from Pulse Bangladesh, Cox’s Bazar, also spoke at the occasion.

Related Paper [Bangla Press] [English Press] SOHS Report 2022 [Details Report] [Summary Report]

Seminar Presentation [English] [Bangla] [A short video highlighting the key issues]

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