‘Time to opt for skill development approach to meet emerging needs of Rohingyas’

Since five years have elapsed, repatriation is still hanging in limbo, and the flow of funds is more fragile than before, it is time to focus on making a strategic shift towards skills development approach for the Rohingyas sheltered in the camps.

Speakers at a policy dialogue titled: “Rohingya Crisis Response in Bangladesh: Do we need a strategic shift from the current approach?” came up with the observations on 30 November 2022. BRAC and the Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka jointly organised the dialogue at a local hotel. 

Since the beginning of the Rohingya influx in 2017, the responding agencies have prioritised providing lifesaving assistance to the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs). 

Several other issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war, humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and the ongoing global economic crisis appeared as bigger global concerns in the meantime. The prolonged nature of the crisis also tightened the flow of humanitarian assistance from donors and international agencies.

Four idea papers developed by the Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka were presented at the dialogue that explored the changing needs of the refugees, potential livelihood mediums for them in 2023 and beyond, and roles of local, national and international NGOs in addressing these issues as well as map new sources of finance. 

Citing the papers, speakers stressed on paying attention to the needs of the host communities. Addressing their insecurities would strengthen the host-Rohingya relationship; thus paving the way for determining strategic response, they said.

Honourable Planning Minister Mr. M A Mannan MP graced the opening session as the chief guest. He said, “Unfortunately, we have no direct control over the Myanmar issue. The Government of Bangladesh did whatever was possible on its part. However, Myanmar’s position is still unclear. With help from NGOs, development partners, and UN agencies, we have been able to reach a point to meet the basic requirements of the Rohingyas but it is not enough. We need to reach a consensus with our neighbours and the international community. The government will continue its attempts to repatriate the Rohingyas.”  

Ms So-Jin Rhee, UNHCR interim Country Representative in Bangladesh, said, “The solution lies in Myanmar. But in the meantime, we have to bridge the gap. We are in a protracted situation. As a UN agency, we have to look at this strategically. Going into sixth year, funding is dwindling. At this juncture, we need to look into how to ensure the minimum like protection, health, WASH, food. We need to invest in resilience, education, skills development so that the Rohingya refugees become productive members of society.”

H.E. Mr Mustafa Osman Turan, Ambassador of Turkey to Bangladesh, said, “Turkey is best placed to understand the situation in Bangladesh as we are hosting the highest numbers of refugees in the world, which is nearly 4 million. We really appreciate the compassion and generosity that was shown by Bangladesh when the Rohingyas had to flee several times and significantly in 2017. We stood by Bangladesh and have been providing support in many different ways including a field hospital, which is treating 1,500 patients every day, free of charge. I would like to congratulate BRAC and Dhaka University for digging deeper into this very complex problem. I am looking forward to the outcomes. Turkey will continue to support Bangladesh until Rohingyas are repatriated.”

Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC, said: “We should now look for a mid-term strategy for the refugees as we continuously advocate for their safe and dignified return to their homeland. There is a growing consensus within the sector that the current work needs to shift towards a development-like approach from a very short-term humanitarian crisis-focused approach. The only solution for the Rohingya refugees is their sustainable and voluntary repatriation to Myanmar.”

Ms Kathryn Davis Stevens, Mission Director, USAID Bangladesh, said, “We need to focus on market based solutions so that the Rohigyas can return to a prosperous future in Myanmar. At the same time, we must educate and ensure essentials for the host communities; going beyond the humanitarian response. Today I would like to stress on livelihoods, educational opportunities, security, stable economic opportunities to guard against  dehumanisation of Rohingyas. Our total assistance in response to the Rohingya refugee crisis reached nearly $1.9 billion since August 2017. USAID will continue to provide support to the Rohingya crisis.”

Vivek Prakash, Head of Cooperation, Rohingya Refugee Response, High Commission of Canada to Bangladesh, said, "Canada has been the development partner of Bangladesh since its independence. The Rohingya crisis has moved past the emergency response to a more protracted nature. We are also continuing to mount pressure on the government of Myanmar. Canada continues to provide essential services to the Rohigya community; a key support is LPG gas that is helping in protecting the environment. It is important to maintain social cohesion among the Rohingyas and host communities so that the host community does not feel left behind. But it’s important not to forget this is a humanitarian crisis and in Bangladesh, the Rohingyas have limited opportunity to work so the financial implication is high.

In his concluding remarks the Chair of the Session Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, Professor of International Relations, University of Dhaka said, “To make it all inclusive it would have been better if the research considered voices of the Rohingya population as well.”

It may be mentioned, the government of Bangladesh has been striving to expedite the repatriation of about 1.2 million Rohingyas sheltered in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char. However, no significant response is yet perceptible from the Myanmar side.

“Invest, young people will take care of the rest”, said State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Hasan Russell, MP while emphasizing the necessity for hands on-the-job training in Bangladesh. He was addressing as the Chief Guest at the celebration of 10 years of STAR (BRAC’s Skills Trainings for Advancing Resources) project held at BRAC Centre, Dhaka.

“Bangladesh Government is investing in skills development of youth and taking different initiatives. Government and non-profits. Government and NGOs can work hands on hands to reach out to youth who are in needs of education or technical training”, he added.

The on-the-job training programme is a solution to unemployment and poverty for the out of school adolescent and youth, said Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC.

He noted that this programme is even more effective in terms of creating employment for the female participants.



Also present as special guests were, Md Nuruzzaman Sharif, ndc, Director General and Joint Secretary, Bureau of Non-formal Education (BNFE), Dr Md Omar Faruque, Director General and Additional Secretary, Directorate of Technical Education, Dr Md Alfaz Hossain, Project Director, Comprehensive Village Development Program (CVDP).

The training has more positive impacts on girls than boys: Effect on girls’ savings was 6 times higher than that of boys, employment among unmarried women increased by 43%, reduced chances of early marriage by 62% amongst female participants and subsequently delayed early childbirth.

In 2012, BRAC, UNICEF, ILO and Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE) launched the Skills Training for Advancing Resources (STAR) as part of the Basic Education for Hard-to-Reach Urban Working Children (BEHTRUWC) project. The training builds on the traditional “Ustad-Shagred” (Master-Apprentice) model, where out of school adolescent and youth are placed as apprentices with local businesspersons known as Master Craft Persons. Over the years, STAR has demonstrated its success in providing an alternative learning pathway by training over 120,000 young people, especially in reaching around 60% girls who had no other learning options.

As the training is aligned with market-driven skills needs and the National Technical and Vocational Qualification Framework (NTVQF), graduate apprentices can go on to acquire Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certification, and eventually better-paid jobs, in the formal sector as well. STAR has also been recognized as one of the top 10 global solutions for youth by the Generation Unlimited.

BRAC has stepped up the implementation of its policy to use environment-friendly materials. The organisation now stops using PVC banners and all other one-time campaign materials made of plastics as part of its environ-friendly policy.

A memo signed by Asif Saleh, executive director, BRAC Bangladesh, was circulated internally for all its staff. The policy will be in effect from tomorrow Monday, 1 November 2022.

This initiative is a part of the organisation’s effort to curb its carbon footprint through environment-friendly measures. BRAC has formulated its strategy and infrastructural targets to reduce carbon emission across all its offices. The measures in this regard include - stop using of all one-time campaign materials such as one-time PVC banners and replacing those with cloth and other environment-friendly materials. The initiative also includes stop using of one-time plastic bottles, bags, spoons, straws and other materials/utensils in all events of BRAC, and ensure use of environment-friendly materials as much as possible for all organisational purposes.

A close monitoring system has also been put in place to ensure rigorous policy and strategy implementation.

BRAC’s first initiative in this regard was brought into effect on 1 November 2019, under which use of one-time plastic bottles was forbidden at all BRAC offices.