A Q u a r t e r l y N e w s l e t t e r o f I s l a m i c R e l i e f, B a n g l a d e s h. News & Views

Transcription

1 A Q u a r t e r l y N e w s l e t t e r o f I s l a m i c R e l i e f, B a n g l a d e s h News & Views Issue 3 October 2013 Voyage towards a Caring and Resilient Bangladesh UK Delegation Called for Safe and Secured Working Environment A sharing meeting took place between the visiting All Party Parliamentary Group, Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD) and Islamic Relief Bangladesh at the FSCD Training Complex on 13 September A six member delegation from the UK attended the sharing session including Anne Main, Rushanara Ali, Nick de Bois, Simon Danczuk, Jonathan Reynolds and Shabana Mahmood. Given the recent fire incidents and risky working environment in the garment factories, the session was arranged to contribute more for the safety and security for the garment workers. Being the first responder organization, FSCD shared its experience of noteworthy incidents like Tazreen fire and Rana Plaza collapse. Brigadier General Ali Ahmed Khan, PSC, Director General of FSCD and other important officials of FSCD were present in the sharing meeting. Emphasizing on the importance of capacity building of the garment workers on fire safety and security, Ms. Anne Main MP gave her speech at first on behalf of the UK delegation. She pointed out that usually the garment workers are not educated on preparedness, emergency and rescue operation. Therefore, it is really frightening for them to act properly in accident and disaster. Participants at the sharing meeting Ms. Rushanara Ali MP raised her concern over the poor working condition of the garment sector and called upon the international as well as the domestic business community to work more effectively to ensure safer working environment for the garment worker. Ms. Ali congratulated the team members Islamic Relief for their work around the world. All participants of the sharing session drew attention on the well being of people especially of them who are not well acquainted with safety and security issues. As more disasters are taking place, the participants of the meeting urged to promote awareness and knowledge and build capacity of the people to ensure their own safety. Though, FSCD is working with urban community volunteers, there is still a huge need of skilled urban community volunteers due to the rapid pace of urbanization. Mr. Shabel Firuz, the Country Director of Islamic Relief, Bangladesh, concluded the session by thanking UK Government for being a friend to Bangladesh. The parliamentarian group observed an earthquake response drill following the sharing session. The visitors observed the drill

2 News & Views Page 2 Making a Difference with Zakat W ith the theme Making a Difference with Zakat, a Zakat Fair 2013, first of its kind in Bangladesh, concluded adopting a ten-point declaration regarding calculation, collection and distribution of Zakat at the National Shooting Federation Auditorium (Shooting Club), Gulshan, Dhaka on 5-6 July Former Chief Election Commissioner Justice Muhammad Abdur Rouf inaugurated the Fair and former Advisor to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury was present in the concluding session as Chief Guest. Five like-minded organisations including Islamic Relief Bangladesh jointly organised the Fair with an aim to motivate people to give their Zakat in an organised and coordinated manner towards sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction. Islamic Relief Bangladesh Country Director greeted the visitors at the stall Millions of thousands of people from all walks of life visited stalls and actively participated in various sharing sessions. Sharing session at Zakat Fair Former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Genral (Rtd.) Nooruddin Khan, Managing Director of Exim Bank Dr. Mohammad Haidar Ali Miah, Convener of the Zakat Fair Organising Committee Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mia and Country Director of Islamic Relief Bangladesh Shabel Firuz were among others addressed the programme. The speakers reiterated the need for a coordinated and holistic Zakat Management System as Zakat is one of the major pillars of Islam. They further emphasized on the involvement of all stakeholders including the government and suggested whether Zakat can be an import source of national revenue income.

3 News & Views Page 3 Ramadan food distributions benefited 6057 households across Bangladesh P A G E 3 Ramadan food distributions benefited 6057 households across Bangladesh IRB Country Director distributed food items to the victims of Rana Plaza, Savar, Dhaka 6057 ultra poor families of 22 districts from across Bangladesh were benefited from Islamic Relief s Ramadan food distributions programme. Every household was provided with a food package of KGs which includes Rice 30 KGs, Lentil 3.45 KGs, Oil 3 Liters, Peas 3 KGs and Sugar 3 KGs for a period of 30 days. In selecting beneficiaries, priorities were given to the ultra poor household particularly the elderly, widowed, people with disability, female-headed household and victim of natural disasters. For ensuring quality food distribution, Islamic Relief strictly followed different guidelines including the SPHERE standards and Ramadan Food Distribution Manual. Government officials, elected representatives, NGO professionals, media personnel and civil society members were among others attended the programme at various distribution points. As an immediate impact of the programme, these families started their Ramadan without having any scarcity of food and saved money which they used to buy food items during Ramadan and were able purchase Eid gifts and cloths for their near and dear ones. It was also helped them a lot of not taking any loan from NGOs, Micro Finance Institutions, money lender, neighbors and shopkeeper with high interests. Another long-term significant impact of this programme was the improved nutrition and health which helps them to lead a healthier and peaceful life.

4 P A G E 4 News & Views Page 4 Crafting clothes and hope in Rangpur N ine hundred women have opened a unique clothing and soft furnishings showroom in northern Bangladesh, as part of an Islamic Relief project designed to support them in building livelihoods. The women, of Rangpur s Mithapukur sub-district, came together under a scheme funded by Forum Syd. The project provided them with opportunities to enhance their skills in hand stitching, tailoring, block and traditional batik and helped the group to buy materials and equipment to get started. It also trained the women on small-business skills including sourcing value-for-money and quality materials, displaying their hand-made products, and reaching local and national markets. The products which include saris, shirts, and children s clothes as well as bed linen are on display at Naowar, the new Sales and Display Centre in Rangpur District Administration Community Market. The centre is generating more publicity and branding, and has become a hub for wholesalers and retailers. Mr. Rezaul Karim Reza, Chairman of Pairabandh Union Parishad said: Naowar has the potential to be a popular brand in handicraft market. The dedication and commitment of the entrepreneurs can be a good example for others. Since the project began, the Naowar Women Development Organisation has saved BDT. 120,000(around 963 GBP), and the entrepreneur group continues to expand its market to different regions of Bangladesh. On June 2013, Naowar have also show-cased their products in the Islamic Relief World Expo, held this summer in Lidcombe, Australia - and are set to carry on developing the enterprise into the future. Most of our times were wasted by gossiping after households work and we were upset for not doing anything productive, But, each of six hundreds out of nine hundreds poor women has their own work now and earns money by making handicrafts -Sumona Akter Shirin, President of Naowar Women Development Organization, an apex body of the rural entrepreneurs, has expressed her deep satisfaction over their involvement with this income generating intervention.

5 P A G E 5 News & Views Page 5 Strengthening the Capacity of Disaster Management Committees I slamic Relief Bangladesh is building disaster resilience in areas frequently struck by environmental disasters such as flooding, cyclones, and the contamination of water sources. Towards a resilient community, Islamic Relief develops the capacity of the people of Khulna, Patuakhali, Satkhira and Sunamganj. The organisation is also undertaken training programme for the locals who struggle to make better livelihoods that work in harmony with the local environment and are less likely to be jeopardised by natural disasters. As part of the comprehensive capacity development programme, Islamic Relief handed over search & rescue equipments to Upzaila Disaster Management Committee (UzDMC) and Union Disaster Management Committee (UDMC) that helps the local residents to plan towards mitigating the effects of crises and be better prepared when disasters hit. Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Mr. Mejbah Uddin received the equipments and thanked Islamic Relief for continuous support in regard to risk reduction and climate change adaptation in the south western region of Bangladesh. Mr. Shamim Hasan, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Koyra and Syed Shahnawaz Ali, Head of ICDR of Islamic Relief were among others present in the ceremony. Escaping poverty in the southeastern coastal belt of Bangladesh My family suffered a lot as I didn t have an income, said Laila Begum, who participated in an Islamic Relief livelihood support project that comes to an end on August. But, Islamic Relief helped me to buy a cow through which I can accumulate capital to lead a respectable life in future. Laila and her family were one of 8,787 families in Chittagong to benefit from one of Islamic Relief s livelihood projects. Grocery shop of a project beneficiary Deputy Commissioner of Khulna received the equipments from Islamic Relief Bangladesh A number of coastal sub-districts in Chittagong were badly affected by floods, river erosion and salinity last year. Several hundred-thousand families lost their crops and struggled to earn a living through activities upon which they previously relied - such as livestock rearing, homestead gardening, and fishing. The project - which started on January saw the area s most vulnerable poor families receive cash grants, training and support to build small businesses. Families were identified through rigorous consultation with the community, local government and civil society organisations. Orientation on livestock rearing, homestead gardening and fishing was supported by a cash-grant of BDT.10, 000 ($125). Islamic Relief also established links with the local supply chain as well as service providers. Islamic Relief set a glaring example of transparency and participatory approaches in implementing the development project, said Mosad Hossain Chowdhury, the Chairman of Sadaha Union of Satkania. Shabbir Iqbal, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Banshkhali, a severely affected sub-district said, Islamic Relief s effort to help ultra-poor people to get out of poverty was a much appreciated initiative. The DfID funded project contributed to the recovery of food security and livelihoods of vulnerable families in Bangladesh s south-eastern coastal belt.

6 News & Views Page 6 IR Bangladesh celebrated National Girl Child Day 2013 P A G E 6 N ational Girl Child Day 2013 observed through a unified campaign engaging a broad network through rallies, human chain and media mobilization in the discussion. The objective of the campaign was to provide safety-security, better health, education and nutrition to girls who are being forced to get married. Islamic Relief Bangladesh took part in the campaign as a member of National Girl Child Advocacy Forum, a network of 165 non government organisations. IRB sponsored an art competition for the students aged between 3 and 16 at Bangladesh Shishu Academy on 21 September Participants sketched their thoughts around themes such as family, school, and girls relationship with nature, to encourage their articulation of their role in society. Dr. Saydul Alom spoke at the roundtable Further, Islamic Relief also participated in the roundtable titled Preventing Child Marriage and Keeping Girls at School at National Press Club, Dhaka on October 2, Dr. Saydul Alom, Head of Health, Education and Child Welfare was a key discussant in the round table. Among others Ms. Ayesha Khanom, Chairperson, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad participated as chief guest, Mr. M Hamid, Director General, BTV as Special Guest while Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, President, National Girl Child Advocacy Forum chaired in the program. Dr. Saydul Alom said, we will have to change our family outlooks. Marriage ensures safety and security of girls, they think and that s why they go for child marriage. This outlook is suicidal and it must be stopped. Art competition In the round table, the participants emphasized on the effective implementation of relevant laws and policies to prevent this nuisance for the country s girls by are creating social awareness and active participation of all relevant stakeholders. Editor: Mohammad Alamgir Executive Editor: Safiul Azam Contributors: Rafatur Rahman Ruba, Rakibul Hasan, Md. Shahinul Hasan, Md. Mohaiminur Rahman Shaheen, Dr. Md Kamrul Islam Design & Layout: Safiul Azam To subscribe to this newsletter, or to send comments to the editor, please info@islamicrelief-bd.org Islamic Relief, Bangladesh House 10, Road 10, Block K Baridhara, Dhaka-1212 For more information about Islamic Relief Bangladesh, or to download this newsletter, please visit: