Cox’s Bazar, 24 August, 2023: “Thanks to all the organizations doing this humanitarian work together and continuously providing emergency response to the Rohingya refugees since the influx happened six years ago. The Bangladeshi people from the borders sacrificed the most. Bangladesh Government and all aid agencies are in this together. I urge you to increase support so we can protect the dignity and ensure the rights of the affected populations.”, said Md. Shamsud Douza, Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (Deputy Secretary), while gracing as the chief guest for the event ‘Humanitarian Fair,’ organized by CARE Bangladesh at the Sayeman Beach Resort in Cox’s Bazar on 24 August 2023.
A long time has passed since the Rohingya refugee crisis began, and it has now protracted into a crisis with various facets. As the frequency and nature of humanitarian crises around the world are increasing through natural disasters, pandemics, man-made actions, and more, the focus of humanitarian assistance has shifted toward the new emerging crises. As a result, essential resources are becoming scarce, which is affecting the prioritization and scale of humanitarian response including the Rohingya refugee crisis. The Bangladesh Government is negotiating with global leaders and Myanmar Government to resolve this issue at the earliest. 
The panel discussion session contained a series of discussions featuring distinguished representatives from UN agencies and donors, focused on the emerging needs of the Rohingya population, related challenges, and strategies for the future. The discussions mainly focused on tackling funding crisis for the future, food security, self-reliance, skills development, social cohesion between the Rohingya and host communities, and role of aid agencies for better coordination.
“As the Rohingya crisis completes six-years, it is a poignant reminder that the plight of the refugees largely remains unchanged. The world has done a lot to support them and make their lives a little better, but we have not been able to give them their future. With resources fast dwindling and crises in other parts of the globe getting attention, the Rohingya needs are silently being relegated to the background. The world needs to continue to stand in solidarity with them,” said Ram Das, Deputy Country Director-Programs, CARE Bangladesh.
This humanitarian fair has brought together actors from different sectors, including representatives from the public sector, private sectors, donor organizations, development partners, NGOs, and media working on the emergency response and humanitarian activities in Cox’s Bazar in a single platform to discuss the present situation of the ongoing crises and how the combined actions and contributions of the aid agencies and different actors can support the common cause. A stall exhibition was arranged to showcase the sectoral interventions using scale models and other visibility materials.
CARE Bangladesh has been a leading organization in responding to the Rohingya refugee crisis since it began and has been operating in the Health, Food Security and Nutrition, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Gender inclusion, climate and resilience, and livelihood programs with support from 17 partners in the host communities and the camp areas of Cox’s Bazar district. CARE is also conducting multiple assessments and feasibility studies to address the emerging needs of the Rohingya population and the host communities to establish better social cohesion while catering to their need for essential services, self-reliance, skill development, and security.
