Coxsbazarians feel proud of sheltering Rohingyas

A positive image fundamental for a territory and country not only to show face but also to enhance export and earn from tourism. It also drawing sympathy to the migrated people.

80 percent of our garments product export to Europe and around 20 thousand Bangladeshi armed personal working in UN peace force around the world.

Every day, a large number of Bangladeshi citizens are entering Europe, legally or illegally, in order to become financially secure and have a better life. Bangladeshi students are mainly going to Europe, USA, Canada and other developed countries to improve their living standards by doing a good job with high salary after completing studies.

By the end of this year, We are going to have an international airport in Coxsbazar. Now, we can expect foreign tourist in our land as these will be great source of earning foreign currency. So, we need a positive image is indispensable.

Current interim government has taken extraordinary initiative to hold three conference on Rohingya repatriation until the end of this year. One of this event will take place in Coxsbazar this month. Another one will take place in New York next month and another one will take place in Qatar at the end of this year.

Dr. Yunus recently convinced Malaysia, the leader of the ASEAN alliance, to play an effective role in finding a sustainable solution for the Rohingya community. This is the first meaningful initiative taken by Bangladesh government to ensure the dignified and voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar; which is an ASEAN member state.

Amidst all this positive news; as a Coxsbazarian, I am deeply saddened to hear a bad news. Recently, due to a reduction in funding for the Rohingya community, the teachers responsible for educating the children and adolescents in the Coxsbazar have lost their jobs. This unexpected incident has angered the teachers. They are now trying to disrupt the normal activities of humanitarian aid. Their unexpected move is tarnishing the image of Bangladesh in the world. We humbly request them to refrain from this immoral activity.

They must accept few realities in NGO sector which is very much depended on funding. These realities are as follows:

> There is no certainty for being permanent in any NGO job. 

> Any kind of duties or job in a project implemented by a NGO can be postponed or cancelled anytime by the Government.

As an Executive Director in COAST; country’s one of the leading NGO, this is my career's sixth job. Before this, I was doing five job in different projects. Here, it is a bit permanent as we are doing micro finance activities in Bangladesh. But honestly speaking, even this job is also depends on having loan money from Bank and retailer agency like PKSF and also based on satisfaction of MRA (Microcredit Regulatory Authority).

Such an attempt by the aggrieved teachers to disrupt the activities of humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya community is tarnishing the image of Cox's Bazar in the international arena. We are humbly requesting the aggrieved teachers, my younger brothers and sisters; in Rohingya camps to maintain the positive image of Cox's Bazar. Let us give the current interim government a chance to find a sustainable solution for repatriation in their efforts. 

Until the steps taken by the interim government to repatriate the Rohingya population to Myanmar are implemented; it is our responsibility to facilitate all concerned with food, education, health protection and overall development. We the Coxsbazarians must help local, national and international agencies in this regard.