Md.Max

The festive atmosphere of upcoming Municipality election in Cox’s Bazar is everywhere, the voters and the people of the entire district stormed over the tea cups and expressed their views and opinions on this eagerly waited election.

The contest mainly focused on ruling party vs independent candidate Or symbol ‘boat’ vs symbol ‘coconut tree ‘ Or Mahabubur Rahman Mabu vs Mashedul Haque Rashed.

There are more than 95 thousands voters in Cox’s Bazar municipality , they will decide to caste their votes on June 12 to crown the administrator of Municipality which brought an incredible attention of the mass people already.

So far, the question so is , who is ahead of the upcoming election , who slightly edges over ?

Mahabubur Rahman Mabu has been experiencing to be involved himself in the Municipality for many years, he has been a running councillor at the moment who is running for the mayorship for first time ,
On the other hand , Mashedul Haque Rashed, is the son of former chairman of this Municipality, renowned Awamileage leader and freedom fighter Muzammel Haque Chowdury.

The two heavyweights candidates are running and contesting the poll so closely that ,no one can predict, who will win the race until the election day.

The other stalwart candidate Sarwar Kamal withdrew the candidateship in this election which paved the way for the both candidates to run their own shows.

The party backed Mahabubur Rahman Mabu is fighting with the independent candidate Mashedul Haque Rashed ,as a result ,the voters are uncertain , who is ahead at the moment in this contest.

This Municipality election gives no opportunities to the people to predict the results ,as, it is going to be one of the toughest elections in the history of Municipality of Cox’s Bazar.

The both runners of the poll have good reputations of pulling the voters in to their favourites, both are charismatic and energetic to attract the eligible voters regardless of age and classes.

The interesting battle is , both are Awamileage supporters and both believe in the ideology of ruling party.

The campaign and the publicity will drag the people in making the decisions at the end, that’s for sure.

It is believed that, as other parties are not participating in this election, so , their voters will defiantly caste their mandates against the ‘ boat’ symbol, so , in this equation , Rashed edges over Mabu slightly.

On the other hands , Mabu can use his workers along with the many Awamileage wings to work for him.

There are 12 wards , 43 polling centers that both candidates have to manage to win the poll.

Since then ,let the people to expect a free and fair election and wait to see who will be the Mayor of a highly eniticipated municipality election of 2023.

Md. Max.
At a press conference , Mashedul Haque Rashed , the individual Mayor candidate of upcoming Cox’s Bazar municipality, complaints against his rival Mahbubur Rahman Mabu of ‘ ‘boat symbol ‘ for the violations of ethics of the election.

He told reporters at his home named ‘ Haque Shon’.

Rashed also says, before the distribution of symbols the Awamileage candidate Mahabubur Rahman violated the rules and regulations of Elections by brining out the procession , holding the meeting by printing the posters and banners.

Despite these ,the election commission turned a deaf ear to him and took no actions in this regard.

On the other hand , the election commission accusing and barring his campaign .
The complaints against Mabu is not taken seriously by the election officials, he emphasizes.

At the press conference ,the heavyweight candidate also says , a high official named Kabir Bin Anwar also threatens the voters from now to make sure that, Mahabubur wins the poll.

So now at the moment , the supporters of Rasehd are doubtful for a fair and free election that will be held on 12th June.

There are 7 mayor candidates who submitted their nominations in this municipality election, Mashedul Haque Rashed is one of them, who is the eldest son of fredom fighter and formar Chairman of Cox’s Bazar municipality AKM Muzammel Haque .

Rashed also told the reporters that ,he will accept his loss and will welcome the winner if the poll is fair and free.

He believes , the mass people of Cox’s Bazar will caste their votes for him and he also requested the higher officials and the administrative officials to work impartially to hold the election accepted by all walks of lives.

A good number of reporters, journalists, well-wishers were present at the press conference that was hold yesterday at his own residence popularly knows as Hoque Shon.

Press Release:

On 27th July 2021 a devastating landslide and flash flood damaged almost huge number of houses, trees and other infrastructure in almost 34 camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf. Mostly in Camp-10, many houses, trees and 6 deaths were recorded.
14 November 2021, YPSA (Young Power in Social Action), with the support of Solidar Suisse, has initiated the plantation of 3500 trees in camp-10 which was earnestly requested by the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC). For the prevention of huge landslide, bring back the ecosystem and to balance the change of climate, RRRC fully cooperated through CiC office of Camp 10 for this tree plantation.
Respected Assistant Camp in Charge Mr. Haricharon Chowdhury, Deputy Secretary kindly inaugurated the tree plantation ceremony at camp 10 where Solidar Suisse Country Director Mr. Mohammad Amanullah was present. The Assistant Director and Head of the Rohingya Response Program of YPSA Mr. Mohammed Shahidull Islam, Mr. Bijoy Biswas, Livelihood Coordinator of Solidar Suisse, Mr. Jishu Barua, Ms. Faria Afreen Anayanan, Mr. Mostaq Ahmed, Project Coordinator of YPSA and of respective project staff and volunteers were present there. Note that thirteen different species of samplings were officially handed over to the respected ACiC by the Country Director of Solidar Suisse for the plantation at the damaged hills of the Camp 10. In the inauguration session Mr. Haricharan Chydhury showed his high satisfaction appreciating this initiative. He strongly recommended to consider the same initiative with larger number of tree plantation at camp 9 where fire burnt a lot of trees on 22nd March 2021 massively. Necessity of tree plantation in camp-9 is high which will help recovering the damage of trees and balancing of ecosystem as well as the environment of the camp in Cox’s Bazar.
For the plantation of these 3500 saplings, YPSA and Solidar Suisse involved 100 refugees with the support of the CiC, Site Management and Majhis in the camp. To take proper care for the sustainability of the saplings, 10 refugee Volunteers are given the responsibility with the leadership of Head Majhi for next several months for regular taking care, watering etc to ensure the sustainability. Besides, CiC office will oversee this monitoring the regular task (taking care) of the volunteers with the support of the project staff accordingly.
This great initiative will be very helpful for the echo system filling the gaps with green saplings at the damaged hills in the camp which is already highly appreciated by the camp authority.

CBN desk :

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic killing of Rohingya refugee leader Mr. Mohib Ullah in Cox’s Bazar yesterday. ,THE AGENCY condemnS this HEINOUS attack in the strongest possible terms.

MANY NGOs AND UN AGENCIES extend THEIR deepest condolences to Mohib Ullah’s family, and to the wider Rohingya refugee community who are mourning FOR his loss. THEY ALL urge the Bangladesh authorities to undertake an immediate investigation, and hold those responsible to THIS GRUESOME KILLINGS.

UNHCR is in contact with law enforcement agencies and governmental authorities in charge of maintaining safety and security for the Rohingya refugees living in the camps.

UNHCR has enhanced its staff presence in the camps to ensure that the Rohingya refugees have direct access to support services and can report their concerns BACK TO THE AUTHORITIES ., Protection and assistance services, including psychosocial support, are being provided to respond to the specific needs of individuals. Trained professionals and refugee volunteers are responding to helplines for refugees.

The Rohingya refugees fled to Bangladesh seeking safety and security from violence AND GENOCIDE , UNHCR continueS to work together with authorities and partners to ensure the safety, wellbeing and protection of Rohingya refugees.

Cox’s Bazar, 30 September 2021

রোহিঙ্গা নেতা মুহিবুল্লাহ ‘হত্যার’ ঘটনায় ইউএনএইচসিআরের নিন্দা

কক্সবাজারের উখিয়ার লম্বাশিয়া আশ্রয়শিবিরে অস্ত্রধারীদের গুলিতে নিহত রোহিঙ্গাদের শীর্ষ নেতা মুহিবুল্লাহ হত্যার ঘটনার নিন্দা জানিয়েছে জাতিসংঘের শরণার্থী সংস্থা ইউএনএইচসিআর।

বৃহস্পতিবার গণমাধ্যমে পাঠানো এক বিবৃতিতে ইউএনএইচসিআর এ নিন্দা জানায়।

ঘটনার সঠিক তদন্ত এবং দায়ী ব্যক্তিদের জবাবদিহি নিশ্চিতের জন্য সংশ্লিষ্টদের প্রতি আহ্বান জানিয়েছে জাতিসংঘের এ সংস্থাটি।

সংস্থাটি বলেছে— রোহিঙ্গা নেতা মুহিবুল্লাহর মর্মান্তিক হত্যাকাণ্ডের ঘটনায় আমরা গভীরভাবে মর্মাহত ও শোকাহত। মুহিবুল্লাহর পরিবার এবং বৃহত্তর রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থী সম্প্রদায়ের প্রতি গভীর সমবেদনা জানিয়ে অবিলম্বে বাংলাদেশ সরকারের যথাযথ কর্তৃপক্ষের প্রতি এ ঘটনার সঠিক তদন্ত এবং দায়ী ব্যক্তিদের জবাবদিহি নিশ্চিতের আহ্বান জানাচ্ছি।

বিবৃতিতে বলা হয়, ইউএনএইচসিআর ক্যাম্পগুলোতে বসবাস করা রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থীদের সুরক্ষা ও নিরাপত্তার দায়িত্বে থাকা আইন প্রয়োগকারী সংস্থা এবং সরকারি কর্তৃপক্ষের সঙ্গে সার্বক্ষণিক যোগাযোগ রাখছে।

সংস্থাটি বলছে— ইউএনএইচসিআর ক্যাম্পগুলোতে এর কর্মীদের উপস্থিতি বাড়িয়েছে, যেন রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থীরা প্রয়োজনীয় সহায়তা ও সেবা পায় এবং তাদের যে কোনো উদ্বেগের কথা জানাতে পারে।

প্রসঙ্গত গত বুধবার রাতে কক্সবাজারের উখিয়ার লম্বাশিয়া ক্যাম্পে সশস্ত্র একদল লোক রোহিঙ্গা নেতা মুহিবুল্লাহকে এলোপাতাড়ি গুলি করে পালিয়ে যায়। এর পর তাকে উদ্ধার করে ক্যাম্পের একটি হাসপাতালে নিলে চিকিৎসক তাকে মৃত ঘোষণা করেন।

YPSA has been implementing a project namely COVID-19 Affected Rohingya and Host Communities Response Project in Cox’s Bazar; Bangladesh with support of Solider Suisse from February 2021. Due to COVID-19 or Corona virus, people’s lifestyles have been changed with so many negative impacts. Poor and ultra-poor are suffering much because their income source has been stopped or affected. Many people sold their productive assets only to buy food and meet urgent family needs. Some people’s productive assets become unworkable.

On that time to provide financial support to the poor and ultra-poor families in the host communities, YPSA and Solider Suisse have taken the project for three Wards (5, 6, 7) of Rajapalong Union of Ukhiya Upazila, Cox’s Bazar. In these three Wards, two category supports were initiated. Conditional Cash Transfer-CCT and Unconditional Cash Transfer-UCCT respectively. Unconditional cash support for the ultra-poor (elderly, widowed, sick, disable, extremely poor etc.) and conditional cash support for poor people who lost their productive assets due to Covid-19 especially. YPSA selected 1000 families for conditional support and 1170 for unconditional support.

In the 2nd wave of COVID-19 the situation became more complex. Government declared a strong lockdown alternatively shutdown to control the spreading of Coronavirus.

We have seen during the first wave of COVID-19 many charity foundations even some people personally extended their helping hands to poor and marginalized people. But in the 2nd wave the rate of assistance has dropped significantly. For this entire connection, poor people are in so many difficulties even with managing their everyday 3 time meals indeed.

Again YPSA and Solidar Suisse extend their project. This time planned to cover another three wards of Rajapalong Union 1, 3, 4 and from the old 5, 6 and 7 with 2700 beneficiaries. CCT – 1000 and UCCT- 1700 by a project Covid-19 Affected Rohingya and Host Communities Economic Recovery and Response Project in Cox’s Bazar; Bangladesh.

Following all procedures, rules and regulation: YPSA selected 2700 beneficiaries from 6 wards. During pandemic situations YPSA distributes cash support through bKash to the selected beneficiaries.

On 26 August Md. Arifur Rahman; Chief Executive of YPSA was present during the MMT and observed the distribution at west Degholia under 4 no wards of Rajapalong Union; Ukhiya. He distributed UCCT through bKash among some beneficiaries and visited some houses and talked with the beneficiaries. He Expressed satisfaction and thanks to all those related with the process of MMT. He especially thanked the community people, leader and local representative for their outstanding support to the project to make smoother and transparent interventions to the community for the wellbeing of the beneficiaries.

Mohammed Shahidull Islam; Asst Director and Head of Rohingya Response Program, Jishu Barua; Programme Coordinator, Rohingya Response Program, Afra Nawar Rahman; Intern- Social Development, YPSA , Enayet Mowla; Finance Manager, Cox’s Bazar and Mostaq Ahmed; Project Coordinator, COVID-19 Response Project were present as Chief Executive’s Tour companion.
-Press release

Press Release:

UNHCR report: Rohingya refugees, mostly women and children, facing deadlier journeys in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, revealed today that 2020 was the deadliest year on record for refugee journeys in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.

Over the last year, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many States in Southeast Asia to tighten their borders, leading to the highest numbers of refugees stranded at sea since the region’s “boat crisis” in 2015.

UNHCR’s new report, titled “Left Adrift at Sea: Dangerous Journeys of Refugees Across the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea”, also highlights that some two-thirds of those attempting these perilous voyages are women and children.

These deadly journeys are not a new phenomenon. Over the past decade, thousands of Rohingya refugees have left by sea from Rakhine State in Myanmar and from the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The roots of these dangerous journeys are found in Myanmar, where the Rohingya were stripped of their citizenship and denied basic rights.

For the Rohingya who found refuge in neighbouring countries, restrictions on movement, livelihoods and education are compelling factors to seek a future elsewhere in the region. Motivations are various, often overlapping, and also include aspirations of reuniting with family members.

The risks have increased markedly for those attempting the journey. Of the 2,413 who are known to have travelled in 2020, 218 died or went missing at sea. This means that journeys were 8 times deadlier in 2020 than those in 2019.

In contrast to earlier periods where most of those travelling were men, the majority of passengers are now women and children. They are at even greater risk of abuse by smugglers when making such journeys. Their ordeal was made worse because safe harbours to end their dangerous journey were nowhere to be found.

Since 2020, many refugees have been marooned for months on unseaworthy boats, falling prey to abuses by smugglers, becoming gravely ill through insufficient food and water, and enduring the harsh conditions at sea, including both searing heat as well as treacherous waves and storms. These risks have been prolonged on the occasions where States have ‘pushed back’ boats to prevent disembarkation.

UNHCR is accordingly calling on all States in the region to search for and rescue refugees in distress at sea, and disembark them to a place of safety; work towards a regional mechanism for predictable and equitable disembarkation; provide access to asylum procedures for those who disembark; work with UNHCR and support fellow countries in the region to implement dignified reception arrangements and provide protection and assistance to refugees who disembark; and address the root causes of refugee maritime movements, including expanding access to safe legal pathways.

In his Foreword to the report, Indrika Ratwatte, UNHCR’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, emphasized the need to act: “For as long as States bordering the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal are reluctant to rescue and land those in distress at sea, that collective failure to act will have tragic and fatal consequences. We can and must do better.”

Bangkok, 19 August 2021