CCNF holds online press conference with journalists from Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar
The CCNF remarked that Cox’s Bazar district deserve special attention from both government and international agencies during the coronavirus crisis
Cox's Bazar CSO NGO Forum (CCNF), an alliance of 60 local and national civil society organisations and NGOs, organized an on line press conference on Monday.
Journalists from both Cox's Bazar and Dhaka participated in the online conference.
The CCNF pointed out that Cox's Bazar district is hosting 1.1 million Rohingya refugees, and that the district is the lowest in terms of human development in the country. CCNF remarked that the district deserves special attention from both government and international agencies in this corona crisis.
They have proposed massive mobilization of social capital so that there will be people's initiative.
Journalists participating in the online press conference, especially from Ukhiya, also urge government to resume mobile and internet facilities with 4G facilities in whole over the refugee camps including in Ukhiya and Teknaf at least for the time being. They claimed it will help people's self-preparation, no rumors and misinformation could be spread, and Rohingyas will be able to communicate with health facilities.
The initiative will also help local journalist to pass their news.
The virtual press conference was moderated by three co-chairs of CCNF, Abu Morshed Chowdhury, Bimol Dey Sarker Mukti and Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.
Nayeem Gowhar Warha from the Disaster Forum, Abdul Latif Khan from NAHAB, Jahsim Uddin from ADAB and Rafqul Islam from FNB participated as guest speakers.
During the meeting other important proposal have come out which are as follows:
- International agencies should consider the whole district as a host community area
- Local NGOs should be allowed to raise awareness in both camp and also in host community on social distancing
- All temporary and daily visitors would have to have their temperature checked before to entering in the camps.
- Local NGOs, local government and local administration will be a part of the decision making process regarding the Rohingya
- Special measures should be taken to support the daily and monthly labor of low and medium hotels in Cox's Bazar, Rickshaw pullers, labors working in fishing and salt industries
- The one dependent on Cox's Bazar's tourism industry, street children, disable and autistic children should be supported by the administration during the crisis
- Local and national NGOs should come forward to contribute government initiative, simultaneously they should contribute and initiate own fund to relief in whole over district
- District administration should sit with doctors and nurses, motivate them and also with clinic owners to serve the people better
- NGO affairs bureau should come forward with a system so that FD7 application and approval should be given in on line and be by 24 hours
The press conference and meeting also urged that, to provide awareness that, in no way the Rohingyas and the foreigners should not be considered as a root of coronavirus crisis.