BD in a fix to sustain support due to cut in foreign aid: RRRC

Foreign aid flow for the Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar has significantly decreased, as attention of the international community has shifted elsewhere from the prolonged crisis. It has left Bangladesh in a struggling situation to sustain the support programmes for those stranded people.

Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), shared these concerns as the chief guest of a roundtable held at a Dhaka hotel on Sunday.

The Orbis International and The Financial Express jointly organised the event titled 'Integrated Approach to Eye Care Services in Humanitarian Settings: Lessons and Best Practices'.

The RRRC emphasised that the responsibility for the Rohingya community does not solely belong to Bangladesh.

"We've taken on the burden of the international community, including the United Nations. We're working on their behalf, but now they seem to have forgotten us."

Mr. Rahman also noted that the number of health facilities in the Rohingya camps has decreased from 160 to 120, with significant reduction in their services due to the fund shortage.

The international agencies working for the Rohingyas are also facing financial challenges, he added.

Professor Dr. A H M Enayet Hussain, President of the Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh (OSB) and Country Chair of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), chaired the event.

He pointed out that eye care is now a development issue, rather than just a health concern, and also noted lack of coordination among the agencies concerned in prioritising eye care within the government health facilities.

Better eye care enables individuals to contribute more effectively to the society, he added.

At the event, Professor Khair Ahmed Choudhury, Director of the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital, announced that Bangladesh is importing corneas from Nepal for the persons affected during the July-August unrest. Corneas for two patients were expected to arrive in Dhaka by Sunday afternoon.

Many people sustained eye injuries during the uprising, including gunshot wounds, he added.

Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Md. Shamsud Douza emphasised the importance of health literacy, particularly in eye care, urging efforts to raise awareness so that people can recognise health issues and seek treatment.

He also underscored the need for cornea donations to restore eyesight for many, noting that increased awareness could encourage more donations.

In his welcome address, Shamsul Huq Zahid, The Financial Express Editor, urged the health-related government and non-government organisations to collaborate with the media on eye health awareness.

He opined that mass media also need awareness in this regard, as the media do not highlight the eye-related problems as much as they do in case of other health problems like cancer or heart disease.

He highlighted the need to incorporate lessons on eye care into school textbooks to build awareness from a young age.

Dr. Munir Ahmed, Country Director of the Orbis International, delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging that the suggestions and advices shared by the speakers would be instrumental for his organisation and other stakeholders.

Shiabur Rahman, Head of Online and Digital Content at The Financial Express, moderated the event, which brought together representatives from the Orbis Rohingya response programme, local and international NGOs, and relevant government bodies.

The participants discussed challenges and opportunities in the field of eye health, offering recommendations to create more integrated and comprehensive programmes for the Rohingyas.

Other speakers at the event included Dr. Khaleda Islam, former director of Primary Health Care of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS); Dr. Manzur Kadir Ahmed, Senior Director of the Gonoshasthaya Kendra; Mohammed Zahidur Rahman, Country Director of the CBM Global Bangladesh; A H M Noman Khan, Executive Director of the Center for Disability in Development (CDD); Md. Iqbal Hossain, Associate Director of the Orbis International; S M Monirul Ahsan, Senior Manager of Programme Development and Grants Management of the Orbis; Musabbir Alam, Country Manager of The Fred Hollows Foundation; Shahid Uddin Mahmood, Manager of the Cox's Bazar Baitush Sharaf Hospital (CBBSH); Moniruzzman, a representative from the Alliance for Cooperation and Legal Aid Bangladesh (ACLAB); and journalists Nurul Islam Hasib and Sarwar Azam Manik.

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