CCNF demands complete transparency in Rohingya fund management

The Cox's Bazar CSO-NGO Forum (CCNF) on Thursday demanded complete transparency in Rohingya fund management through the Joint Response Plan (JRP).

Leaders of the homegrown network of 50 NGOs promoting human rights in Cox's Bazar also called for better coordination between local and international NGOs involved in the Rohingya response.

They made the call on Thursday during a webinar titled "Rohingya response plan 2021, is it going beyond or a business as usual. Time to think future: Localisation and democratic ownership," reads a press release.

The leaders of the organisation said the active participation of locals in the planning and implementation of the Rohingya response is essential to make it sustainable.

If local government institutions and local NGOs take the lead in implementing Rohingya programmes at the field level, the operating cost of progammes will decrease. In addition, the refugees will get more direct assistance this way, they added.

Speaking at the webinar, Md Helaluddin Ahmed, senior secretary of the Ministry of Local Government said that given the current situation in Myanmar it seems Rohingya repatriation will take longer and the suffering of local people in Cox's Bazar will be prolonged. Therefore, the participation of local organisations should be given priority in taking action to deal with the crisis.

Ashik Ullah Rafiq, MP for Moheshkhali constituency said the government has several mega projects for the development of Cox's Bazar, but the Rohingya crisis poses a threat to overall socio-economic development in the district.

He called on the international community, including the United Nations, to focus on forcing Myanmar to repatriate the Rohingya.

Presenting the keynote speech of the programme, Mujibul Haque Munir of COAST Trust said that from 2017 to October 2020, [JRP] received $428 on average for each Rohingya family per month. However, according to our observation, each family received direct support of only $130 [per month] which includes the cost of food and non-food items, and shelter logistics.

"We want to know how much [was spent] for other services including education, protection, health, and how much was the operation and management cost?" he demanded.

Munir said the Rohingya crisis has long-term impacts and long-term plans need to be adopted to address this crisis.

"No initiative will be sustainable without the participation of locals in the adoption and implementation of the plan," he added.

Gawher Nayeem Wahra of Disaster Forum recommended buying various food items needed for the Rohingya refugees from Cox's Bazar.

"For example, if salt, dried fruits, etc are procured from Cox's Bazar without importing from outside, it can play an important role in the economy of Cox's Bazar," he said.

Moreover, local leaders suggested forming a monitoring team comprising local representatives to check whether the money coming under the JRP is being used properly and whether 25% of the total fund is being used for locals.