NGOs call for peaceful coexistence until repatriation

Cox's Bazar CSO NGO Forum (CCNF) yesterday called for peaceful coexistence for Rohingya response until their dignified repatriation to Myanmar. 

Issuing a statement on the eve of Rohingya influx's third year, the forum said political process for dignified repatriation of Myanmar nationals who fled persecution should be prioritised.

Besides, authorities concerned should 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 government to expedite dignified repatriation.

If repatriation of more than one million Rohingya refugees starts tomorrow, it will take over one decade, it said.

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

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

It said humanitarian workers should be given 24-hour access to refugee camps, so they can carry out activities against drug dealing, human trafficking, gender violence, and especially extremism, in the evening.

There should be aid transparency with disaggregated figures periodically, so there can be public monitoring of management costs and direct input costs centring refugees and host communities, it added.