“We should focus on institutional capacity building in every intervention, not merely on individual projects that we implement. Since our partnership with IRC (International Rescue Committee), they are providing us with technical support in this regard, for which we are very much thankful to them.” said, Md. Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive, YPSA. He was saying this in the Project Start-up and Project Review program of the project titled, “Integrated Protection and Health Program for Rohingya Refugees and Host Community in Cox’s Bazar” held at YPSA HRDC, Panerchara, Ramu, Cox’s Bazar on 17th November, 2022. Officials from IRC attended the day long workshop.
At the onset of the workshop, Mr. Mohammad Shahidull Islam, Head of Rohingya Response Program &Assistant Director, YPSA welcomed all participants and wished for passing a very enjoyable day. He said, “We must keep making efforts to improving the standard of our performance as individuals, as team and as an organizational. There is not alternative to it in the competitive sector.” Mr. Jishu Barua, Program Manager, YPSA notified the objectives of the workshop and continued anchoring the first session of the workshop.
The grand inauguration of this day commenced with a greeting speech by Md. Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive, YPSA. He said, “We are developing our program unitizing the protection.”
Md Alimul Islam, Program Coordinator, IRC delivered his greetings speech. He said that IRC is working on the technical issues. He requested the YPSA staffs to check and to ensure a better service for the beneficiaries.
In her greeting speech, Dr. Shamsun Nahar Chowdhury Lopa, a prominent educationist and social researcher, advised to love the individual rules, duties & responsibilities for gaining the best outcome. She also said that such workshop and training are very helpful for staff capacity building up.
About twenty-four participants combinedly from IRC and YPSA joined the workshop. In the second session, Ms. Mariam Akhter, Project coordinator, YPSA anchored and made the project progress presentation. Then, the IWC Managers made component wise presentation of project progress.
Firstly, Ms. Aloka Rani Adhikari, IWC Manager, Camp-5 discussed about the IWC visits and recreational activities, implementation methodology, challenges and way out of Girl Shine program. Secondly, Ms. Shanuching Marma, IWC Manager, Camp-18, YPSA presented the SAFE and Positive Parenting components progress and challenges. Thirdly, Ms. Shahnaj Begum, IWC Manager, Camp-25 YPSA talked about the topics including development of SASA! Together and outreach activity of this component.
Ms. Rassel Hossain, Senior Manager, IRC suggested in open discussion session to run the program on a regular plan and encouraged all officers to refer cases to the case management service. On behalf of YPSA, Program Manager Md. Abdus Saburfacilitiated a session on PSEA and safeguarding policy. Mr., Thomas Sabuj Haldar, Senior MEAL Manager presented the project indicators, Targeted number, Monitoring Plan, and the theory of changes with a logframe.
Mr. Shukhen Chakma, Finance and Admin Officer gave a detailed presentation on the current financial status of the project, the percentage of budget burn, what amount of budget is left in the next 1 month, and how much money is left for the next 4 months. Later, monitoring updates are given by Ms. Charli Agnes Azim, MEAL Officer, including what monitoring tools are used, the details of the implementation plan and monitoring plan, the weekly and monthly reporting format, and what channels are used for feedback mechanisms, like a hotline number, a complaint box, an exit survey, a one-on-one session, office walk-in hours, etc.
The senior technical manager from IRC, Shakh Jahidur Rahman, Sr. Program Coordinator, expressed his satisfactory opinion about the overall workshop. And he also said that the project not only works to change the quality of life of the Rohingya community, but every activity of this project works towards a positive change among the people of any other community. Only when we use or follow each of the messages of this project in our daily lives can real change or the implementation of the project’s goals be possible, and this will have a good impact on the community.
The program ended with the closing words from Ms. Md. Nazrul Islam, Partnership Manager of IRC.
