The Cox’s Bazar CSO NGO Forum (CCNF) has raised concerns over UNHCR’s 2026–2029 partnership plan for the Rohingya response, accusing the agency of sidelining local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and thereby undermining their capacity. The forum also criticised the World Bank’s USD 700 million support package for similarly excluding local civil society organisations (CSOs) in its implementation strategy, limiting participation to government bodies and international agencies.
The allegations were made during a press conference at the Cox’s Bazar Press Club, moderated by CCNF Co-Chair Rezaul Karim Chowdhury and attended by representatives from local NGOs including Help Cox’s Bazar, ADHIKAR, ORNAB, CEHRDF, SBSKS, and YPSA, alongside media personnel. Md Shahinur Islam of COAST Foundation highlighted that UNHCR has ended partnerships with local NGOs in the district, transferring responsibilities to international organisations. He noted that this approach contradicts UNHCR’s own October 2025 Guidelines on Localization, which stress strengthening local partnerships.
Islam called for the cancellation of the new partnership framework, emphasizing that while local NGOs participated in the 2025 cycle, none will receive funding under the 2026–2029 plan. He argued that this decision ignores the proven capacity of local organisations and undermines the principle of localisation. Abu Musa of ADHIKAR similarly criticised the World Bank’s funding structure, stating that the loan and grant mechanisms unfairly bypass local CSOs and could negatively impact social cohesion in host communities.
CCNF Co-Chair Rezaul Karim Chowdhury acknowledged the technical expertise and fundraising capabilities of international NGOs but stressed that they should not compete with local organisations for resources within Bangladesh, instead mobilising funding from their own countries. Md Elias Miah of CEHRDF raised environmental concerns, noting that Cox’s Bazar faces significant pressure on natural resources, including the extraction of over 25 million litres of groundwater daily from Ukhia and Teknaf to supply the camps, posing long-term risks for host communities.
