Roadmap Proposed for Rohingya Repatriation by Speakers

A webinar titled "Forcibly displaced Rohingya in Bangladesh: Steps towards dignity, safety, and sustainable solutions" was held on August 24, 2022, in Cox's Bazar. The event, jointly organized by COAST Foundation and CCNF, brought together distinguished speakers to discuss the ongoing Rohingya crisis and potential solutions.

In his keynote speech, Md Shahinur Islam, Assistant Director of Humanitarian Response, emphasized the importance of practical approaches to addressing the Rohingya crisis. He highlighted the need for the next elected government to prioritize the issue and develop comprehensive policies.

Imam Khair, a journalist, suggested that the government should focus on providing employment opportunities for local people to alleviate the burden on resources. Noor Ahmed Anwari, Chairman of Whykong Union Parishad, agreed, stating that only 25% of the funds are allocated for the local host community, but this is not working effectively.

The speakers called for Rohingya repatriation as a sustainable solution to the refugee crisis. However, they also acknowledged that Cox's Bazar cannot accommodate any more Rohingya, and a clear roadmap should be developed for the Rohingyas.

Saki A Kausar, an advocate, proposed a separate court for Rohingyas to address issues such as Yaba business, rape cases, and human trafficking, which she stated are involving Rohingya refugees and causing a backlog of cases in Cox's Bazar.

Gauhar Naeem Wara, a refugee expert from Disaster Forum, stressed the importance of education for Rohingya children, stating that it is a right that should not be denied. Amir Hossain of NGO Platform emphasized the need for long-term life-saving humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya.

Mohammad Helal Uddin from AGRAJATRA, Tauhid Belal, Chairman of Save the Cox's Bazar, Mojaffar Ahamed from Palongkhali Union, and Sukarna Abdullah from NGO Platform also participated in the discussion. The session was conducted by Mustafa Kamal Akand, Director of COAST Foundation, and Jahangir Alam, Member Secretary of CCNF.

Due to recent funding cuts, humanitarian actors are forced to reduce assistance, making the need for sustainable solutions more urgent. Md Shahinur Islam recommended that the government should not have impunity for the Myanmar military and ensure their accountability for genocide and crimes against humanity.

The webinar aimed to provide a platform for discussion and collaboration to find practical solutions for the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the safety, dignity, and sustainable solutions for the Rohingya refugees. With approximately 1,148,529 Rohingya refugees entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance for survival, the need for action is urgent.