Rohingya repatriation roadmap demanded

Civil society representatives have demanded a spontaneous strategy and repatriation of Rohingyas, alleging local NGOs receive less than 1 per cent (PC) of funding under the existing Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya crisis.

These two vital demands were made at a press conference on Sunday, jointly organised by the Cox's Bazar CSO NGO Forum and the Equity Justice Working Group at the National Press Club.

CCNF and EquityBD Chief Moderator Rezaul Karim Chowdhury moderated the conference. EquityBD coordinators Mostafa Kamal Akand and Md Iqbal Uddin, and CCNF Coordinator Md Shahinur Islam were present.  

In his keynote paper, Shahinur Islam criticised the JRP preparation process, terming it as a "UN-dominated fundraising mechanism" - rather than an inclusive humanitarian framework.

According to the paper, UN agencies control around US$811 million, or 87pc of the total JRP 2025 budget, International NGOs account for 8.97pc, national NGOs receive 4.19pc, and local NGOs get 0.06pc. 

Shahinur Islam said the government of Bangladesh has been contributing significantly to managing the Rohingya crisis, including through bank loans, but argued that these contributions are not reflected in the current JRP structure. He called for at least 25pc of JRP funds to be channelled through local NGOs and host communities.

Mostafa Kamal Akand urged the government to take responsibility for ensuring Rohingya repatriation by forming a Rohingya Repatriation Commission and pursuing international accountability for the alleged genocide against the Rohingya in Myanmar. 
He also proposed a conference during the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly to work out  a concrete repatriation roadmap.

Speakers also raised concerns over environmental degradation, criminal activity in the camps, and the exclusion of local communities from decision-making processes, urging a permanent and sustainable solution to the prolonged Rohingya crisis.