Transparency in humanitarian assistance provided by global NGOs demanded

BDCSO, a platform of Bangladeshi civil society organisations, Saturday demanded transparency in humanitarian assistance provided by the UN and Global NGOs (INGOs) among the flood-affected people in the Sylhet division.

It also voiced for raising the roles of local NGOs in providing such assistance for reaching to the maximum number of people.

The demand was made at the virtual press conference organised by Bangladesh NGO-CSO Coordination Process (BDCSO) Sylhet chapter on humanitarian assistance in Sylhet on recent flood response.

Executive Director of COAST Foundation Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, while moderating the event, said there should be a transparent and competitive policy on the UN Central Emergency Response Fund’s (CERF) fund disbursement.

“This time it is US $5.0 million as announced by the UN emergency relief coordinator, the fund should not be only for UN agencies, Red Cross and big national NGOs like that of previous practices,” he said.

He said $2.5 million has already been raised by the UN but there is little disclosure of INGO funding.

Rezaul urged that funds should be disbursed through open, competitive and transparent practices.

Disaster Forum Secretary Nayeem Gowhar Warha urged the government to assign a senior official as a relief commissioner in Sylhet and Sunamganj regions for relief coordination.

He also urged all UN and NGOs inform their money and plan to upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and deputy commissioner (DC) in Sylhet.

This assistance should be considered as people's right not a charity, he commented.

Director of the Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh (ADAB) AKM Jashim Uddin said the UN and INGOs should consider at least 25 per cent fund allocation to the local NGOs.

Executive Director of the Association of Workers for Alternative Rural Development (AWARD), Abul Kalam Azad, said UN and INGOs should work with local NGOs as they (local entities) know how to reach remote areas or manage the operation at a lower cost.

And they have regular contact with the local administrations, and local governments who are involved with flood rehabilitation and coordination, he said.

Tofazzal Hossain, chairman of BDCSO process of Sylhet chapter, Coordinator of ADAB Sylhet Babul Akhter,  Executive Director of Jaintia Shinnomul Songstha (JASHIS) Badrul Islam, Executive Director of PODDHA Sylhet Sazzadur Rahman, ADAB Sylhet Secretary Badrul Akter, Executive Director of Shatadol Sylhet Jobair Hossain also spoke among others.

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