Ensure peaceful co-existence with Rohingya till repatriation: CCNF

Cox's Bazar CSO NGO Forum (CCNF) today called for peaceful co-existence with the Rohingyas until their dignified repatriation to Myanmar can begin.

Issuing a statement on the eve of the 3rd year of the Rohingya influx, the forum said the political processes for the dignified repatriation of the Myanmar nationals who fled persecution should be prioritised.

Before their successful repatriation, the authorities concerned should facilitate "localisation" of the refugees and ensure transparency in aid management, said the forum, a network of 50 local and national NGOs working in Cox's Bazar.

CCNF reiterated its demands for all-out efforts from the United Nations, international NGOs, and the government to expedite the process of dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas.

If the repatriation of 1.1 million Rohingya refugees start tomorrow, it will take over one decade, said the forum.

"So, they should not be kept sitting idle, they should be given pre-fabricated shelter, education and income-generation training to facilitate their human dignity," it added.

In its 11-point demands, CCNF said there should be a government-led "single line and single pot" fund management, while UN agencies should act as a counterpart to government management, not in parallel.

All sub-offices of international agencies should be shifted to Dhaka or Ukhiya to reduce the cost of journeys to camps and to reduce pressure on Cox's Bazar town, the forum said.

It said humanitarian workers should be given 24 hour access to refugee camps so that they can initiate activities against drug dealing, human trafficking, gender violence, and extremism in the camps after dark.

There should be aid transparency and public monitoring on management cost as well as direct input cost to refugees and host communities, it added.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, executive director of COAST and a co-chair of CCNF, said local NGOs, community organisations and local government authorities in Cox's Bazar are committed to uphold the dignity and rights of the Rohingya until their repatriation.

He said the local NGOs and local government organisations have to be given space in response management.