Humanitarian actors call safety, security for all including Rohingyas
Speakers from various humanitarian organisations at a programme highlighted the need to ensure the safety and security of aid workers and vulnerable communities in Bangladesh, especially in the Rohingya response.
They spoke during a virtual dialogue titled "Act for Humanity—Leave No One Behind," hosted by COAST Foundation, Cox's Bazar CSO-NGO Forum (CCNF), and BDCSO Coordination Process, in collaboration with the Alliance for Empowering Partnership (A4EP), to mark World Humanitarian Day.
They also called for reducing management costs as aid decreases and criticized the World Bank's recent $700 million loan pledge for the Rohingya and host community response.
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They argued that loans in humanitarian efforts are unethical and set a bad global precedent.
The event was presided over by Shireen Huq of Naripokkho and moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, executive director of COAST Foundation.
In the keynote presentation, Md Iqbal Uddin of COAST expressed concern that aid workers often become victims in conflict zones instead of being recognized as heroes.
Mirela Shuteriqi from ICVA, Switzerland stressed the need to protect civilians, aid workers, and humanitarian premises.
Gawher Nayeem Wahra from Disaster Forum, Bangladesh highlighted the crucial role of local volunteers in crises and the importance of recognizing their contributions.
AHM Bazlur Rahman, CEO, BNNRC, Dhaka warned of the dangers of cyberattacks and misinformation in conflicts.
Fazlul Kader Chowdhury from Green Cox in Cox's Bazar highlighted the dire conditions of 14,000 host community members living inside Rohingya camps, stressing the need for an inclusive response.
Ferdous Ara Rumee underscored the vulnerability of women and children to crisis and the need for their safety.
Nanette S Antequisa, chairperson of A4EP and executive director of ECOWEB, Philippines; Palwashay Arbab from Community World Service Asia; Sudhanshu S. Singh, Executive Director of Humanitarian Aid International, India; Dr Md Shahid Uz Zaman, chairperson of Start Fund Bangladesh; Rafiqul Islam from Rupantor in Khulna; Marianna Narhi, from NGO Platform, Coxs Bazar, MA Halim, Amis Hossen, Barkat Ullah Maruf, and Mohammad Bin Abdullah. also spoke at the programme.
