This will be the first newsletter of the year 2016 so let me start by wishing

everyone a happy New Year! What a year it has been.. as a fast track One

Oxfam country in Asia, we have restructured our team in accordance with

vision 2020 and also in accordance with our refreshed OCS, we have

managed to delivery programmes worth about US$12million through the

year, produced more than a dozen concept notes/ proposals, won some key

grants from EU e.g. SWITCH and successfully undertook an internal audit after a

gap of a decade. The external operating environment, particularly in the last

quarter of the calendar year has been difficult to say the least, restricting our

ability to carry out filed visits and host external visitors. The team‟s

achievements, viewed in the context of internal (restructuring) and external

(security) factors have been extraordinary. I consider myself fortunate to be

part of team Bangladesh and I sure hope each one of you is too!

In this New Year we are certainly looking to build on the substantive gains of

2015. The priority is going to be aligning our programmes to the themes that

we have identified in the OCS. This is a gradual 3 step process. The first

step is to have a structure that is appropriate to deliver the OCS. This has

been successfully achieved in Aug 15 when we completed all recruitment

into the new structure. The 2nd

stage is the review of partners that we will undertake during the period Jan – Mar 16.

The ToR for this partner review, as many of you will know, directly responds to the concerns of the Keystone

Partnership Survey. The 3rd

and last phase will involve developing a country wide „Theory of Change‟ and

subsequently making appropriate adjustments to align all our programmes along the OCS themes. This includes

recasting how our PIPs and Projects are structured in OPAL and the rolling out of CAMSA. The target for

completing this entire process is 30 Sep 2016.

I believe that we are well on our way to meet this deadline. It will also allow us to put women at the heart of all we

do more clearly and to make our programming more evidence based. We will be able to demonstrate better, how

the issues of youth, middle class, urbanisation and technology are integral to all our programming. It also puts us on

a good path to raise funds by tapping into large opportunities presented by Tenders and Bids. As the external

context of Bangladesh changes, we need to gear up to keep our programmes relevant to the needs of the country.

The challenge ahead of us is to build on the great heritage that Oxfam has in Bangladesh. I can feel that we as a

team are ready to be on the cutting edge of development in the country and move out of our comfort zones. After

all, we have to do something that we have never done to get something that we have never had – impact at large

scale relevant to the poor of Bangladesh today. We are ready for it! Happy New Year once again!

Monthly newsletter OXFAM IN BANGLADESH OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

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FROM THE COUNTRY DIRECTOR

Snehal V. Soneji

Country Director

Oxfam in Bangladesh

Oxfam in Bangladesh along with its partner organizations organized the first ever Convention of Community Based Organizations (CBO) on 4-5 November 2015, in Dhaka aiming to inform and sensitize government officials, policy makers and other national and international partners about the CBO led sustainable livelihoods and disaster resilience model, especially for the marginalised people living in hard to reach areas of Bangladesh. About 1,000 representatives from different CBOs across the country, especially from remote Char, Haor and Coastal areas joined the convention. Three technical sessions, one inaugural, one inspiring and one closing sessions were convened in the CBO Convention.

The Speaker of Bangladesh National Parliament Dr. Shirin Sharmin Choudhury, MP was the Chief Guests in

inaugural session. In her speech the Speaker said, development plans should be taken to reduce disparity between

the rich and poor and focusing on how growth could be used in meeting that goal. A position paper was presented

in the convention by the Oxfam in Bangladesh Programme Director M. B. Akhter. He urged the government to take

development plans considering special areas like haor, char and coastal regions, recognising women as farmers,

women-friendly agricultural technology, river ambulance, mobile hospitals and modern shelter houses at chars in

islands. Presided over by Oxfam in Bangladesh Country Director Snehal V Soneji, the inaugural session was also

addressed by the State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Narayan Chandra Chand, SHIREE Chief Executive

Officer Eamoinn Taylor, CBO Sudin-3 Chairperson Malati Rani from Satkhira and Karnaphuli Nijdorpa

Comprehensive Co-Operative Limited Secretary Md Mukul Mia from Rangpur.

The CBOs, formed and facilitated under REE-CALL project of Oxfam which, with the support from partner NGOs,

has been implementing a project called REE-CALL in Haor, Charlands and Coastal areas of Bangladesh. The

project contributed in developing knowledge and skills of the community, ensuring better financial returns from

improved production and marketing processes and facilitating service availing processes of the marginal farmers

and fisher folks. A number of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) were developed in target villages which

were used as means of delivering REE-CEALL project interventions. Later, a network of CBOs was formed so that it

can play vital and comparatively bigger roles in making sure that the voices of the marginalized people are better

heard and can sensitize the higher authorities and policy makers in favour of the marginal farmers and fisher folk

communities. The project also arranged campaign and mobilization activities, different dialogues, partnership

building workshops, mass gatherings and round table meetings with MPs so that the said sensitization activities are

successful in producing results. At the final stage of the project, a national level CBO Convention was arranged to

share lessons with policy makers and other partners.

The CBOs included all people of a village irrespective of their economic conditions though especial attention was

Convention of Community Based Organizations

Unleashing potentials for resilience and sustainable livelihood

The CBO Convention was started with the National Anthem of Bangladesh

paid to people like marginalized members from different

disadvantaged categories like vulnerable women,

marginalized men like poor farmers and fisher-folk

communities, young girls. Most importantly, the project

created community level platform for collective actions of

the poor and marginalized people especially the women to

create various different opportunities for them and for

other members of the community.

People from different government and non-government

agencies including representatives from grassroots

organizations participated in the CBO Convention. The

CBO Convention gave them the opportunity to directly

listen from grassroots people about their conditions and

also be informed about the demands of marginalized people to enable them to do better. The policy makers and the

government officials who joined in the convention came to know about the struggle of marginal people, know about

the means and processes women adopted to change their conditions and finally expressed solidarity with the efforts

exerted by local people and agencies.

The inaugural session of the CBO convention outlined

the scope of the convention and sensitized two high level

policy makers of Bangladesh who joined in the session.

The Speaker of National Parliament and State Minister

for Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, the Chief

Executive Officer of EEP/SHIREE and the Country

Director of Oxfam were present in the inaugural session.

The session created grounds for sharing ideas and

experiences between grassroots level CBO

representatives and high level policy makers. The

speech given by the guests indicate that they were

sensitized about the challenges the people living in

disaster hot spots are facing and justified the actions

undertaken by REE-CALL project.

The Inspiring Session gave opportunities the local representatives to informally share and openly discuss the

experiences in improving their conditions. Open discussion was held mainly with the people and representatives

coming from Charlands (riverine islands) and interactive discussions were organized with CBO representatives.

Advocate Sultana Kamal, Executive Director, Ain o Salish Kendra, Khondokar Ibrahim Khaled, Deputy Governor,

Bangladesh Bank, Ayesha Khanam, President, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, Shaheen Anam, Executive Director,

Manusher Jonno Foundation, Mostafa

Jabbar, ICT specialist were the

notable persons presented in the

session. Open discussion with Char

people informed the audience that

education, safe water supply,

development of disaster shelters,

communication systems, violence

against women, women friendly

market facilities and management,

land management in charland areas

where erosion and accretion is active,

CBO registration issues are some

areas where attention is required for

improvements through government

and non-government efforts. The

Oxfam in Bangladesh Country Director presented his speech in inaugural and

closing sessions

Oxfam in Bangladesh Country Director Snehal V. Soneji spoke in the inaugural

and closing session

Oxfam Programme Director M. B. Akhter presented the

position paper in the inaugural session

Speaker of the National Parliament Dr. Shirin Sharmin

Choudhury, MP presented her speech in the inaugural

session

guests also provided inspirational speech for the

participants. The CBO Convention was a successful

culmination of efforts provided by Oxfam (as the

organizer), partner NGOs and their CBO representatives

speaking for seventy thousand CBO members,

international development partners, representatives of

grassroots civil society agencies, national level civil

society representatives, Parliament Members and high

level government officials.

The partner NGOs who were present in the convention were Polli Sree (Nilphamari), SEED (Rangpur), GUK (Kurigram), SKS (Gaibandha), MMS (Sirajgonj), Gono Chetona (Jamalpur), POPI (Kishoreginj), BNPS (Netrokona), AKK (Faridpur), DDJ (Pirijpur), Jago Nari and NSS (Barguna), WAVE Foundation (Patuakhali), Sushilan (Satkhira) and SDI (Swandeep, Chittagong).

Media Coverage of CBO Convention

Most of the National Newspapers and Television Channels covered the CBO convention along with its sessions with

an important treatment. Following are the links of media coverage from some selected media houses:

The Daily Star: http://epaper.thedailystar.net/index.php?opt=view&page=3&date=2015-11-05

The Daily Star: http://www.thedailystar.net/city/dev-programmes-should-focus-poor-speaker-167731

The News Today: http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=2426107&date=2015-11-02

The New Age: http://newagebd.net/172602/dev-plans-should-focus-on-reducing-disparity-speaker/

The New Age: http://newagebd.net/172956/cbo-leaders-urged-to-fight-back-extremists/

The Daily Shamokal: http://www.esamakal.net/?archiev=yes&arch_date=05-11-2015#

The Daily Kaler Kontho: http://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/news/2015/11/06/287415

The Banglanews24.com: http://www.banglanews24.com/fullnews/bn/438031.html

The Kaler Kontho: http://www.ekalerkantho.com/?archiev=yes&arch_date=06-11-2015#

The Kaler Kontho: http://www.ekalerkantho.com/?archiev=yes&arch_date=02-11-2015#

The Daily Naya Diganta: http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/detail/news/67101

The Daily Naya Diganta: http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/detail/news/67355

The Prothom Alo: http://epaper.prothom-alo.com/view/dhaka/2015-11-02/8

The Daily Sokaler Khobor: http://www.eshokalerkhabor.com/2015/11/02/

Later one of the leading Bangla Newspaper published an Op-Ed on the convention. Link of the Op-Ed:

http://bangla.samakal.net/2015/11/30/176666

CBO Members shared their problems and demands to the policy

makers in the Convention

Following National Char Convention 2015 we have

been continuing our effort to make char peoples' dream

into reality. In line with this, representatives from

National Char Alliance-NCA have had an effective

meeting with A.H.M. Mostofa Kamal MP, Honorable

Planning Minister yesterday. On behave of NCA, Oxfam

Country Director, Concern WorldWide Country Director,

Representatives from CARE, CLP, Unnayan

Shomunnoy and Friendship formally handed over The

17 Points Declaration along with convention

proceedings. The delegates were highly encouraged to

work with government initiatives, share innovative

development ideas to the ministry for sustainable

betterment of Char People.

The convention adopted of 17 points declaration

The CBO Convention was come to the end by adopting 17 point declaration (mentioned below). The CBO

Declaration was distributed among the participants and the journalists for much wider circulation.

1. Create area specific development plan and allocated necessary budgets in order to ensure rights and

entitlements of the poor and marginalized people living in Haor, Charlands and Coastal areas of

Bangladesh.

2. Provide registration of CBOs working in remote locations of Bangladesh and facilitate them so that they can

engage in income generating activities and also allow them accessing necessary resources in this regard.

3. Provide support from government and private sectors (like develop policy, create markets, put in place

market monitoring processes etc.) to ensure proper value of the product (with necessary profit) produced by

women.

4. Recognize women as farmers who are engaged in agriculture sector. Create provisions that support and

promote women‟s participation in family level decision making process, increase capacity and extended

opportunities and ensure women‟s control over asset/resources

5. Enhance the services of Agriculture Extension to develop women friendly agriculture technology and tools

and facilitate the use of these technologies by the women farmers

6. Ensure special credit facilities with low interest rate for agricultural production (crop production, raising

livestock and poultry, fishery development). Develop service center in the local area and so that these

centers can provide necessary support for protecting and promoting livestock resources

7. Take measures and allocate necessary financial resources to reduce mother and child mortality. Supply

river ambulance and create provisions like makeshift hospitals for giving better health facilities. Develop new

and rehabilitate the existing community health care centers (clinics) for better treatment facilities and engage

both government and private sector resources in this regard

8. Take measures that ensure arsenic mitigation and supply safe drinking water. Ensure proper sanitation

facilities for the communities living in remote and isolated locations of the country

9. Create education facilities for children, provide transportation facilities where communication difficulties

create hindrances for children to access to school

10. Develop cyclone shelters with necessary modern facilities in coastal island areas. Develop strong

relationships with Bangladesh water Development Board (BWDB) so that they pay attention in constructing

and rehabilitating coastal embankments that will protect people and resources from cyclone and salinity

impacts

11. Ensure electricity supply in remote and isolated areas of the country

12. Ensure access of poor and marginalized communities to public land, water and forest resources. Take steps

that will help women to enjoy more privileges in receiving leaseholds for share-cropping farming exercises

13. Take necessary measure to improve the life and livelihoods of fisher-folk communities

14. Take actions to stimulate the activities Haor development Board and create similar kind of board for Coastal

and Islands (river and offshore) areas

15. Ensure good governance at grassroots level for protecting rights and entitlements of marginal people under

the leadership of elected representatives. Take steps to end the interference of central government into local

government processes and functions

16. Develop and implement labor law for the people working in informal sectors of the economy

17. Take necessary measures that will ensure corruption free operation of social safety net and people‟s

empowerment projects.

16 days of Activism

Oxfam with 18 partners of GWL programme celebrated 16 Days of Activism all over the country with the UN

theme of this year „ORANGE THE WORLD…… STOP ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND

GIRLS’. Oxfam also organised national level events with WE CAN and SANGAT (South Asian Feminist Network).

Along with this Oxfamily also celebrated the 16 days of activism at country office level. Here is some picture of the

activism:

TEN MINUTES WITH Dr. Larry Stillman and Dr. Tom Demision

Dr. Larry Stillman and Dr. Tom Demision from Monash University visited Bangladesh on October-

November 2015 for PROTIC, a participatory action research intervention of Oxfam and Monash

University. The objective of PROTIC is to empower the community voice using digital scope of

knowledge sharing specifically on agriculture for resilience. We asked them about the challenges and

possibilities of working in Bangladesh

How long have you been coming to

Bangladesh and what brought you to

Bangladesh this time?

I first came to Bangladesh in April last year as part of a needs assessment for the PROTIC project. This was my 5th visit to Bangladesh. This visit was to conduct consultations with villagers and other project partners and engage in intensive planning as part of the PROTIC visit.

What stage are you at with the PROTIC project?

We are at the point of implementation. It has involved a lot of planning - which means meeting either in person or by Skype – as well as emails, thinking and researching time, but it should result in a high quality baseline sur.vey that is necessary for good implementation in the future.

Given the change in security, how did you work around that, especially since you had to cancel your field trips?

We held meetings this time in Dhaka, which was very disappointing, because rural Bangladesh as everyone knows, is a completely different place. It is so beautiful, like nothing one can imagine from Australia. But we got a lot of work done with rural village leadership and NGO representatives. In fact, we probably got more done than usual because we could not go anywhere! We also got taken out a few times, thank goodness, as I have some favourite shops and markets.

What are some of the challenges, as well as strengths, of working in Bangladesh?

Of course, the security situation and political instability is always a challenge, but we are guided by what Oxfam and partners inform us what is possible. Coming to terms with a different culture and language is not too much of a problem for me, nor is the reality of extreme inequality. I am used to this sort of situation, and in some ways, I thrive on needing to be extra sensitive to different ways of seeing the world and doing things. That is what makes action research so interesting.

There have been several strengths for me.

The first is the talent and skills shown not just in the Oxfam office, but the other NGOs we come in touch with, as well as the universities. There is a longstanding history of Participatory Action Research (key to the PROTIC project), and it is a wonderful thing to be able to learn about it. As well as that, the skills of village people themselves are impressive and we have been learning a lot. I also learn a huge amount from the locally published development literature, and people are very willing to share their viewpoints with us.

But a challenge is to come to terms with a more traditional and hierarchical and traditionally gendered culture. As an outsider, I really don't have any right to interfere in the ways things are done. All I can do is make suggestions and try to gently influence. It is a very delicate balance, and of course, at the same time, the local culture influences my thinking on many things, such as the nature of change, gendered relationships and so on.

Dr. Larry Stillman and Dr. Tom Demision from Monash University

And of course, the disastrous traffic situation in Dhaka is a physical and mental challenge, as is the uncontrolled development. There are solutions, but the will is not there.

What do you like about visiting Bangladesh?

Obvious, eating!! Second, the vibrancy and colour which makes our lives in Australia seem very drab. It is amazing how people dress up for different holidays or how women dress generally. It is lovely.

There is also wonderful local art (modern and traditional) and music and my suitcase if full with books from Newmarket and gifts for when I come home. I've managed to squeeze my way onto the roof into hearing music at Jatra a couple of times -- I even saw Anusha there, and I'd like to go to traditional sangeet and other concerts (volunteers please), as well as dance. I've picked up about a dozen films including most of those by Tareque and Claire Maqsud. These are essential if you are going to understand the history of Bangladesh.

The palaces, temples and mosques in rural Bangladesh are world-class treasures. I still relish the memory of spotting a half-abandoned zamindar's palace near Rangpur that not even local partners had noticed – it was hidden behind vegetation. I worry what will happen, however, if Bangladesh gets overrun by too many tourists – I think that could have destructive effects.

I also have a thing about old fashioned ledgers and notebooks and Bangladesh‟s fantastic stationary stores. I also love getting a barber shave and massage. The barber in the Banani supermarket calls out my name when he sees me!

Will we be seeing you in Dhaka again anytime soon?

If everything works out, in mid-February.

Is there anything else you want to add?

It's been a life-changing experience for me and got me thinking about all sorts of questions to do with development, social justice and the possibilities for Monash University and its relationship with Oxfam in Bangladesh and Bangladesh.

I hope I can come for longer than 2 weeks at a time next year (if my wife lets me, I have been away a lot this year, also in South Africa). But I think that in order for me to work with the 'team' in BD, I do need to become more embedded – so I hope things calm down locally, and I can learn some Bangla as well!

OXFAM is the recipient of the „Bangladesh Freedom Honour‟ award for its

contribution to the country in the Liberation War in 1971. In 1971, OXFAM

implemented a relief programme for up to 600,000 of the ten million refugees

who had fled from Bangladesh to India and were staying in many of the over

900 refugee camps in the border areas of India and Bangladesh. Oxfam also

published the “Testimony of Sixty” that aimed at appealing to the world leaders

to stand against the atrocities, oppression and genocide operated by Pakistani

army during our war of Independence in 1971.

Find the article of Julian Francis was the responsibility to lead the relief

programme in 1971 in the link:

http://opinion.bdnews24.com/2012/03/25/receiving-the-bangladesh-freedom-

honour-some-emotions-and-reflections/

Find the “Testimony of Sixty” here:

https://www.scribd.com/doc/130825631/The-Testimony-of-Sixty

Success stories of RESPONSE Project

Due to heavy terrestrial rainfall and downpour of Bankhkhali river and hill water onrushing through collapsed

embankment several Union of Ramu upazilla of Cox’s Bazar district affected by severe flood in July 2015. The

water level raised around 4-5 feet high on an average. Almost 80% families of Mithachari and Chakmarkul Unions in

Ramu Upazila had to be temporarily dispossessed.

Oxfam provided emergency response support to 3259 households in Mithachari and Chakmarkul Unions under

Relief Support for flood and cyclone affected Population in Need in South-East Bangladesh (RESPONSE) project.

Each beneficiary household was provided 9000 BDT as unconditional cash grant for food, shelter, WASH and

generating livelihood. As a part of its’ continuous effort to adopt technology in Humanitarian interventions, Oxfam

introduced Smart Information Management System (SIMS) for beneficiary registration and Mobile Money Transfer

(MMT) for cash disbursement.

The beneficiary selection of this specific project was conducted maintaining strictly an authentic and transparent

process in consultation with local representative and communities to select the people who really needed the

support. The adoption of information technology had been very useful to implement the project efficiently within the

given three month. The most significant approach of the project was to targeting women as the recipient of cash

which ensured the maximum utilization of money for the purpose of resilience of their families. As a result this

project was able to create on ground evidences of true resilience. Here are some selected stories:

Bulbul Akter Age: 25 years Husband Name: Ansarullah Address: Srimura Village, Chakmarkul Union of Ramu Upazilla, Cox‟s Bazar

The flood water came so surprisingly that Bulbul Akhter and her husband could not realize what they should do. As the water level rose so quickly they had to move from their house to a safer place leaving all their household belongings. For the next 20 days she and her family stayed in the nearby cyclone centre. When they came back they saw everything was abolished. Only the pillars of their houses were standing. Bulbul belongs to a poorer family. Her

husband is a rickshaw puller. With the minimum earning they had to survive with their three small children. Bulbul used to support the family by rearing domestic birds (ducks, hens) and cultivating vegetables at the tiny land beside her house. She used to earn 1000-1200 tk. /month with which she generally supports their children feeding and schooling. At the time of flood all the ducks, hens and vegetable field flooded away. Moreover, from the last 20 days her husband could not go for work. They had to buy their food and essential products on credit. Bulbul and her family had fallen into a dreadful misery. However, soon they had started restoring their life again, as they started receiving assistance of unconditional grants support from the RESPONSE project of OXFAM. They received BDT 6000 in 2 instalments of unconditional grants through MMT. With the 1

st instalment 3000 BDT Bulbul paid BDT 2500 to the local grocer to repay dues

which she borrowed during the flood. With the rest of the amount she bought a mat and 4 pillows for lying upon. With the second instalment they purchased some ducks, hens and prepare her small homestead field to cultivate vegetable again. They are yet to receive BDT 3000 as the third instalment with which they are planning to repair their house with plinth rising. The unconditional cash support has given Bulbul Akhter and her family back to their normal life. Now they have their home and earning options, the most precious thing they have is their confidence to fight. Bulbul was thanking to the RESPOSE project stating, “The flood was a cursed for us. We had no other way except begging. Oxfam helped us to break free from the curse. Our life has become quite stable now as it was before the flood.”

Bulbul Akter with her daughter in front of her home

Dilbar Begum

Age: 30 years Husband Name: Md. Selim Address: Srimura Village, Chakmarkul Union of Ramu Upazilla, Cox‟s Bazar

In the flood Dilbar Begum‟s house has

been inundated three times. The flood

water hanged about a month. Hence,

Dilbur along with her husband and 6

children took shelter into the nearest

cyclone shelter of Ali Hossain Sikderpara

village of Chakmarpul union. When the

water was declining they went to see the

condition of the home. They became really

distraught to see that their small grocery

shop was damaged and her hens and

ducks flooded away. Dilbar lost all her income generating activities through which she maintained the maximum

expenditure for flooding and education of her children. Her husband was working in a tea stall. He was unable to

manage all of the expenditure of the family. They were passing the most hurtful days for Dilbar‟s family. She got

chira, muri and 8 kg rice only from Union Parishad as relief.

However, Dilbar‟s bad days did not last long. With the support of Oxfam she managed to overcome her loss within 2 months. From the RESPONSE project she received 9000/- as unconditional cash grant support by two instalments of mobile money transfer (MMT). With the cash support she brought 50 kg rice, pulses, sugar, oil and vegetables by using 2000 tk; three hens and one duck by 1500 taka and betel nut by 1500tk. Besides, she invested BDT 4000 in her grocery shop. With the additional earning of Bulbul‟s investments, her family life is just about reinstated now. Dilbar said, “Since the cash grant did not have any condition on how would I spent, I used it in income generating activities”. She added, “Now I firmly believe that women are generally capable of making their own decisions and they do it considering the best interests of themselves, their children and their families”.

Kulsum Akter Age: 30 years Husband: Abdul Khaleq Location: Mithachari Union of Ramu Upazilla, Cox‟s Bazar Kulsum Akter can still remember the smile on her husband‟s face when he first saw their son‟s face. After consecutive 3 girls, Ashraful was their first boy. That‟s why, he was the most adorable child of his parents. Ashraful‟s father decided to send him school and make him educated. But he was a carpenter. The family was passing their days in poverty with numbers unfulfilled dreams. But, there were peace in their life. The only reason was Ashraful and his presence. This year he became 4 years old. So, Kulsum and her husband started to save money for Ashraful to get admission at school. But, the flood blew up all of their long cherished dreams. The flood water entered into their home. However, they did not shift from their home. Their kids were enjoying playing in the water. One day, Kulsum was sewing and her husband was at work. Suddenly, their eldest daughter came to her. She was shouting with scared face, “Mother, Mother... the flood water is taking away Ashraful!” Kulsum went to the river side to find out Ashraful. But it was too late. Kulsum and her family are still waiting for Ashraful despite of knowing that he never come back anymore. The full family was fallen into deep grief. Both Kulsum and her husband knew that Asraful was their only hope for their future. The family had 3 other girl-children also. But girls will no longer be with their parents after marriage. So, Kulsum had nothing to do except mourning for Ashraful.

Then one day, a person from Oxfam came and offered Kulsum their support to restore our life. After a long discussion she was able to make her understand that boys and girls are equal. She and her husband finally realized that if they would teach their daughters, they could support them in return. So, both of the girls were taken school with a dream again. Oxfam also helped them by providing unconditional grant of BDT 9000 to restore their life. With this support they have hired a piece of land on river basin. They will cultivate ground nut on the sand and paddy field. This extra income will be spent mostly for the education of their daughters. Kusum Akter saiys, “Flood snatched everything we had. But Oxfam gave us the best lesson that we must treat boys and girls equally”.

As part of our 16 days of activism Shahnaz Begum former President of Durjoy Nari Shangha ( sex worker self help

group in Bangladesh), Joya Shikder former Secretary of Badhan ( transgender self help group of Bangladesh)

joined their hands with Oxfam to put an end to all forms of violence against humanity. Both of them unlocked their

struggles how they had been experienced to establish their rights as women, transgender and as sex workers.

According to them violence not only makes sex workers‟ working life more difficult, but also threatens their sexual, physical, mental health and wellbeing. Their psychological health may be affected by extreme incidents of violence, in most cases there is no support system available for sharing experiences or seeking legal action. Women and Transgender who do sex work are at risk of multiple forms of violence as well as discrimination and human rights violations such as humiliating, degrading treatment, denial of services and arbitrary detention and other forms of institutional violence. Criminalization of sex work including the criminalization of sex workers, third parties, sex workers‟ clients, families, partners and friends, has a detrimental effect on the lives and health of sex workers.

Ensuring their participation and creating space to raise their voices will drive us to thinking of that violence are not

“normal" not "part of sex job" or sex workers are not lower than the low. Crimes against ser workers will not go

unpunished anymore. Considering the current trends of violence against women we all are committed to move

together move on beyond the boundaries which will give us different directions to get violence free environment, as

in Oxfam we are committed for gender justice world; our ultimate vision.

Beyond the boundaries

Quarterly Review Meeting

Since OXFAM through the NGO Forum, Pollisree and

VARD is implementing the 8th DIPECHO Action plan

as a part of NARRI Consortium, in Sylhet City

Corporation, Rangpur City Corporation and

Mymensingh Pourasabha and already completed first

two quarters, it was imperative to review the progress

critically and develop a detailed plan and guideline for

the upcoming interventions. As a common approach

for all partners is a concern, it was necessary to sit

with all the team members of all the organizations and

agree upon a common work approach.

The three day long quarterly review meeting was

organized from October 6-8 at SKS INN, Gaibandha.

19 participants joined the training from four

organizations namely NGO Forum, OXFAM, Pollisree

and VARD.

The outputs of the meeting were chalked in the

following manner:

1. Review project progress (quantitative and qualitative) critically, including follow up of the actions agreed in the foundation training

2. Develop and finalize Detail Implementation Guideline for interventions around rest period of the project

3. Revise GNATT chart according to the agreed actions and timeline

4. Detailed discussion on monitoring framework and agree on necessary reporting and documentation.

IDDR Day Celebration

International Day for Disaster Reduction was

celebrated on October 13 both at national and partner

level. While Oxfam contributed to and participated in

the national level celebration of the occasion, the day

was celebrated through number of events at the

partner level such as rally, seminar, simulation drills,

art competition for schoolchildren, awareness session,

video show etc in Rangpur, Sylhet, Dhaka and

Mymensingh.

Oxfam as a part of the NARRI Consortium

participated in the IDDR Day Celebration at Osmani

Smriti Milonayoton. There were stalls of the

publications and materials of the participatory

organisations. The Chief Guest of the event was Mr.

Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Bir

Bikram,Honorable Minister of Ministry of Relief and

Disaster Management. The Director General of the

Department of Disaster management welcomed all in

his speech and Mr Dhirendra Devnath Shomvu, MP,

Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee

on Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief was

the Special Guest. MD. Shah Kamal, Secretary, DDM

was also present in the occasion. The chief guest

inaugurated the stalls and he visited all the stalls that

were established for the IDDR Day Celebration.

National Sanitation Month 2015

and Global Hand Washing Day 2015

National level: To celebrate National Sanitation

Month 2015 and Global Hand Washing Day 2015,

Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE),

Government of Bangladesh in association with

INGOs, NGOs and private sectors has taken month

long nationwide elaborate programme. Oxfam, as

member of National Sanitation Secretariat, has also

been part of the program included inauguration of

Sanitation Month on October 01 and observance of

Global Hand Washing Day on October 15.

Contact: Sanjan Barua

WHAT HAPPENED IN OCTOBER-December?

District Level: Oxfam partners have observed

National Sanitation Month and Global Hand Washing

Day 2015 at district level with the view to make both

the community and other stakeholders aware and

sensitized on sanitation and hand washing. School

children, teachers, Child to Child group members,

Woman WASH Platform (WWP) members, Ward

Sanitation Task Force and Union Sanitation Task

Force representatives, adolescent group, women

leaders, ADDA group members, Change Maker, UP

members and Upazila Sanitation Task Force joined

the events. Contact: Sanjan Barua.

Slum visit by JICA Visit representatives

On October 13 JICA representatives Hana Kobayashi

and Tomoko Shaw visited Oxfam‟s urban

interventions under the Urban Resilience Bangladesh

project at Pyarabag Slum, Mogbazar. The objective of

the visit was to learn how Oxfam is empowering

women through DRR and WASH interventions. The

JICA visitors visited the hardware interventions under

the project and saw how female community members

are benefiting from separate bathing facilities

constructed under the project. They also had a

meeting with the slum community members, CBO

representatives, and urban slum volunteers where

they learned how the female volunteers are leading

health and hygiene promotion in the slum and are

also becoming the emergency response group in the

community through the training provided under the

project.

Media Link:

http://www.banglanews24.com/fullnews/bn/432620.html

http://jamunanews24.com/2015/10/13/52649.php

2nd ‘youth mock parliament’ demanded

enact right to food immediately

OXFAM and Hunger Free World along with 23 other organizations jointly organized 2

nd Youth Mock

Parliament on October 17 at Nobab Nowab Ali Chaudhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University.

The main session of the 2nd Youth Mock Parliament was presided by the Eminent Economist and Chairman of PKSF Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad. The Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance and Former Minister for the Ministry of Food Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak, MP was grace the event as the Chief Guest. Md. Abdul Wadud, MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Food, former Advisor of

Caretaker Govt. and the Executive Director of Campaign for Popular Education Ms. Rasheda K Choudhury and Mr. Shishir Shil, Secretary General of All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), Bangladesh were present as special the guest. Dr. Joinul Abedin, Agriculture Scientist and the Former Representative of IRRI, was also present at the occasion and gave vote of thanks.

In the 2nd youth mock parliament 300 youth aged under 25 years studying at different colleges and universities (total 30 institutions including Dhaka University) participated. They have represented all 300 constituencies of Bangladesh. They have selected a Speaker, a Prime Minister, an Opposition leader, a Food Minister from themselves and rest played as the member of house.

Other than the 300 participants there were about 170 other people from 23 co-organizers, NGOs and civil society. They have attended at the event as observers. There were about 40 volunteers who helped the event making successful.

In the Youth Mock parliament Ms. Nishat Binte Raihan was the Prime Minister leading 179 MPs from the Govt side and Ms. Seikh Kanta Reza was the opposition leader leading 121 MPs and 2 members were discrete. Minister of Food Ministry Mr. Abdullah-Al- Qayum and Opposition Deputy Leader Mr. Badrul Hossain, 20 MPs from the both Govt. and opposition parties represented their own constituencies and uttered importance of the acceptance of Draft Food Rights Law.

Chairman of the program Dr. Qazi Kholikuzzaman Ahmad commented about the session. He said “I am amazed to see the youth talking about a national issue. The Chief Guest Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak, MP shared in his speech he expressed his proud feeling of being the Chief Guest on this great program. He talked about the Bengal Famine of 1943, and Famine of 1974. He said “Food security for all is the priority for the government”. He shared the wishes of the Father of the nation Sheikh Mujibar Rahman. Sharing his experiences as a freedom fighter he said “the

vision of our fight was to eradicate hunger and poverty in Bangladesh.”

Please see the social media group for detail: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mockyouthparliament/

FAO and Oxfam jointly organized the

South Asia Dialogue on Right to Food

Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of United Nations and Oxfam jointly organized the South Asia Right to Food Dialogue, which was held in Dhaka, on November 23-25. The event aimed to offer possibility for exchange and sharing experiences and learning on the achievements, obstacles, challenges and opportunities of the legal perspective, implementation and realization of the Right to Food in the participating countries from the region: Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan. The event also aimed to identify the possibility of stronger regional cooperation through the establishment of a Community of Practice on Right to Food in South Asia as a joint platform of action.

35 delegates from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan participated in the three daylong event. Through four technical sessions, the dialogue intended to offer a coherent framework, addressing approaches to fight hunger and malnutrition ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of food security work. During the Dialogue there was discussion on the challenges on the right to adequate food in the context of national food security of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan and proposed strategies were shared to combat the challenges. Discussion supported formulation of improved strategies and policies for the realization of the right to adequate food. Hence a common understanding and agenda among these delegates of different South Asian countries for eliminating hunger attached great importance to the dialogue. The dialogue allowed for in-depth discussion between delegates of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan and was an effort to exchange views in a human right-based approach to secure food security focusing on the right to adequate food as a fundemantal right.

Secretary of Ministry of Food, Ms Mushfeka Ifkat

participated in the opening session of the dialogue.

The technical sessions were greatly enriched with the

presence of academicians, government officials and

civil society members. The event saw participation

from Ministry of Law, Ministry of Food, Ministry of

Social Welfare and from Food Policy Monitoring Unit

(FPMU) under the Ministry of Food. Oxfam‟s global

policy adviser, Mr. Thierry Kesteloot, Serena Pepino

from FAO Rome office, Abdus Sattar Mandal from

FAO Bangladesh, M.M.Akash from Dhaka University,

Dr, Qazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmed from PKSF and

Hossain Zillur Rahman from PPRC facilitated different

technical sessions. The event was coordinated by

Anna Wrochna, Oxfam Regional Advocacy and Policy

Coordinator.

Observing National Sanitation

Month and World Habitat Day

Oxfam‟s partner DSK celebrated the National Sanitation Month and World Habitat Day together by organizing a national level Campaign at Pora Bosthi, Kalyanpur on October 13. Around 2000 community members (consisting of slum-dwellers, CBO representatives, urban volunteers etc.) attended the event where civil society representatives like Sultana Kamal and Prof. Nazrul Islam and also govt. representatives from WASA attended the event as special guests. The event was consisting of an open dialogue session to discuss the rights of the slum-dwellers and a mass gathering to raise their five-point demands to the relevant authority. Through the event, the govt. department like WASA, was sensitized regarding their responsibilities to ensure WASH facilities for the slum-dwellers. At the same time, an advocacy paper was presented highlighting the need for permanent habitats for the slum-dwellers through ensuring a proper rehabilitation program.

Media Link: http://www.newstoday.com.bd/?option=details&news_id

=2424854&date=2015-10-19

Brainstorming workshop on Women

Farmer Campaign Phase-3

The WIN and Communications department of Oxfam in Bangladesh conducted “Brainstorming workshop on Women Farmer Campaign Phase-3” at the Jamuna Meeting Room, Oxfam Office Dhaka on November 9. Oxfam‟s Program Director M. B. Akhter welcomed to all and given introductory speech. He asked the campaign partners to ensure women farmer‟s access to existing opportunities and facilities in different

programs by government and other stakeholders apart from campaigning for new facilities for women farmers. The objective of the workshop was to brainstorm and develop strategic plans to identify immediate priorities

and actions under the 3rd

phase of the Campaign. The total participants of the workshop were 21 (among them 15 were male participants and 6 were female participants) including 13 participants from 08 partner organizations. The organizations were AVAS, Development Wheel, ISDE, Jago Nari, LoCOS, PESD, Prochesta, Zibika. Mozahidul Islam Noyan, Advocacy Coordinator, Mousumi Biswas, Sr. Campaign Officer, Sonia Tahera Kabir, Sr. Policy Officer, Shamim Iftekhar, Media & Communication Coordinator, Anna Wrochna, Regional Policy & Campaign Coordinator facilitated the sessions. Participants made draft activities for the next phase of campaign through the group work and presentations in the workshop. Women Farmer Campaign will be continued for another phase in Bangladesh till February 2016.

Interim Review of urban Resilience

Bangladesh

OXFAM organised Interim Review of Urban

Resilience Bangladesh with its urban partners on

November 23-24, 2015 at Hotel Garden Inn, Banani,

Dhaka with the view to review the program update

and revise plan for the next period accordingly. It

included two projects namely „Improving access to

sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)

facilities for urban slum dwellers‟ and „Saving Lives:

Help people in poor urban communities to better

prepare for, and adapt to, natural and man-made

disasters‟. Total 16 participants from all URB partners

including NGO Forum for Public Health, Pollisree and

Dustha Sasthya Kendra (DSK) joined the event.

Contact: Simon Rahman.

Oxfam and BSMRAU signed MoU to

work jointly for PROTIC

Oxfam in Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Shekh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on December 15 to conduct research and other relevant activities for the implementation of PROTIC project of Oxfam and Monash University. Under the MoU the following activities will be conducted jointly:

Collaborative research projects, seminars, workshop, conferences and training programs;

Exchange of academic information and materials in fields of interest of both the institutions;

Joint proposal to the Governments, National and International agencies, research organizations, Universities, Non Government Organizations (NGOs), Non Profitable Organizations (NPOs) for sponsored research projects;

Conducting joint supervision for research, training and publications;

Supporting students and faculty members in

research and knowledge management

including internship, support to joining relevant

learning interventions.

On behalf of Oxfam, Country Director Snehal V Soneji

and on behalf BSMRAU, Treasurer Prof Dr. Ismail

Hossain Mian signed the MoU.

Report on Changing Monitoring

System-5 presentation

As a part of Changing Monitoring System (CMS)-5 a learning sharing session entitled “Resilience Strategies of the Poorest: Case REE-CALL / SHRIEE project” was held on December 10 at Jumuna Hall room of OXFAM. The purpose of the session was to share learning of REE-CALL project with OXFAM colleagues in order to feeding in future programmes. CMS-5 is a monitoring tool used at SHIREE funded project across Bangladesh practicing under the complete supervision and guidance from Bath

University, UK, in order to analyzing various dynamics of poverty.

In the hour long presentation, Arafat Alam, the Researcher, pointed out what strategy has worked best for the poorest and what not by using two cases stories (best and worst case). 20 staff from the program, humanitarian and advocacy departments of OXFAM participated in the event.

Flood Response Project Learning Visit

conducted at Ramu Cox’s Bazaar

Oxfam organized a learning visit at Ramu, Cox‟s bazaar for Oxfam Humanitarian Capacity Building Partner Organizations representatives from December 2-5. 11 Disaster Managers from 11 partner organizations participated in the visit of Oxfam ongoing Flood Response Project which is implementing by YPSA. Through this learning visit, partner staff has get an idea regarding emergency response mechanism, process of beneficiary selection, usage of Smart Information Management

System (SIMS), mobile money transfer (MMT) process and the possible challenges for any response project. During the visit, Disaster Managers discussed with YPSA representatives, talked with beneficiaries, meet with Union Council representative, observe the mobile money transfer process and also received an orientation on SIMS. It is expected that Disaster Managers will apply their learning in their own organizations if they need to do it during any emergency.

Workshop on Media Response in

Humanitarian and Disaster Contexts

A national workshop on Media Response in Humanitarian and Disaster Contexts has been organized jointly by Oxfam and Institute of Disaster management and Vulnerability Studies (IDMVS) at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, University of Dhaka on December 20. Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Honorable Vice Chancellor of University of Dhaka was presented as Chief Guest; Dr. Khondoker Mokaddem Hossain Pro-VC, Bangladesh Open University, Dr. Golam Rahman-

Chairman of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) was presented as special guests. Snehal V Soneji- Country Director, Oxfam welcomed all the participants where Professor Dr. Mahbuba Nasreen-Director, IDMVS, and University of Dhaka chaired the inaugural session. “Media is one of the first res-ponder for mobilizing both national and international community during any emergency and they are accountable to play this significant role" said Dr. A A M S Arefin Siddique”. 35 participants from different electronic and print media participated in the day long workshop. Concepts and Issues of Disaster management, core humanitarian standards, Disaster reporting, Media ethics and role of Media has been discussed throughout the workshop. At the end of the workshop, all participants identify their role and challenges in disaster reporting and accordingly provided the recommendations to carry forward the initiatives of Oxfam and Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies.

Agreement Signing between Oxfam and

Human Development Research Centre

The agreement signing between Human Development Research Centre (HDRC) and Oxfam took place on December 15 at Oxfam Office. The Oxfam team was led by Mr Snehal V. Soneji, Country Director, Oxfam in Bangladesh and HDRC team was led by Prof. Dr. Abul Barkat. Various conceptual as well as

programmatic issues were discussed in the ceremony.

Under this agreement Oxfam in Bangladesh is going to develop and execute influencing strategy in four thematic areas for its Gendered Entreprise Markets(GEM) and Enterprise Development Programme(EDP) under REECALL program. The four thematic areas are:

Access to Finance:

Access to Extension Services:

Inclusive Sourcing and Responsible Business:

Care Work: Under the agreement, a multistakeholder forum will also be formed to way forward the influencing activity which will be followed by a number of national level learning and influencing events.

Asia Women Farmer Forum Meeting

in Sri Lanka

Women farmers from 14 countries of Asia came

together and shared their successes, challenges and

expectations in a regional meeting arranged in

Colombo from December 10 to 12. Bichitra Roy, a

women farmer from Kaharol upazilla of Dinajpur and a

project participant from Oxfam‟s FSTP project

participated in the meeting along with Rahima Sultana

Kazal, executive director of partner organisation

AVAS. This lively event saw women farmers pitching

their ideas in front of a three member panel for

securing funding for their mock projects, intensive

discussion on challenges and issues faced by the

women farmers of Asian countries, future ideas on

campaigning on women farmers‟ rights and

agriculture issues and presentation of activities of

women farmers of participating countries. The event

concluded with the inauguration of Female Food Hero

campaign of Oxfam Sri Lanka.

Please see the social media group for detail

https://www.facebook.com/GROW.East.Asia

Agreement signing between HDRC and Oxfam: Dec 15, 2015

Law Commission’s learning visit to

India on Right to food

In order to learn about the Indian national food

security act (NFSA) of 2013 and to observe the

implementation process of the law, a five member

delegation of Law commission of Bangladesh visited

India from November 28 to December 8. They visited

Indian states of Rajasthan, New Delhi and West

Bengal. The main purpose of the visit was to discuss

with the community people, with right to food

campaigners and with the Judiciary the

implementation challenges of this law and the

implementation of the redressal mechanisms. The

team had long meetings with the Supreme Court

appointed food commissioners, advisers of these

states on the act and visited remote villages of

Rajasthan and West Bengal. They also had a meeting

with the members of a collective called “The Badu

Collective” whose members are playing a key role in

overseeing the implementation of the act in the

villages of West Bengal. The law commission team

was headed by the chairperson of law commission,

Ex Chief Justice of Bangladesh A.B. M Khairul Haque.

Other members included the member of the law

commission Justice A.T.M Fazle Kabir, secretary of

the commission, Md. Ali Akbar, District and session

Judge, Chief research officer, Mr. Fowzul Azim,

District and session Judge and the research officer

Mr. Hasan Md. Ariful Rahman, Senior Assistant

Judge. The team expects that their learning would

help them substantially in drafting a framework law on

food security for Bangladesh.

Oxfam Country Director's meeting

with Law commission Chairperson

Oxfam in Bangladesh country director, Snehal Soneji paid a courtesy call on the chairperson of the law commission, Justice A.B.M.Khairul Haque at his office on December 29. They discussed issues regarding Oxfam‟s partnership with the law commission on right

to food frame work law. Justice Haque also informed Oxfam about the commission‟s visit in Indian states of Rajasthan, Delhi and West Bengal where they had the opportunity to meet with the Supreme Court of India appointed food commissioners along with having consultation meetings with different stakeholders on right to food issue. He shared his insights and observations from the visit and how the learning would be incorporated in the framework right to food law for Bangladesh. Terming the visit to be a success, he thanked Oxfam for arranging the visit. Expressing his satisfaction on the success of the visit, Snehal Soneji hoped that the strong partnership between Oxfam and the Law Commission will continue in the future and both will work jointly for promoting right to food as a basic human right for all citizens of the country.

Discussion meeting on "Role of youth

in achieving women farmer's rights

Oxfam supported Women Farmer's Campaign in Bangladesh organized a discussion meeting on "Role of youth in achieving women farmer's rights and recognizing their contributions" on December 28 at the Prime University Auditorium, Dhaka. PKSF Chairman Dr. Qazi Kholikuzzaman Ahmad Chaired the event while eminent woman leader Shirin Akhter, MP was the Chief Guest. The Vice-Chancellor of Prime University Prof. Dr. Abdus Sobhan and Right to Food Network in Bangladesh Chairperson Mohsin Ali were the special guests. Two women farmer presented their remarks and shared their experiences at the event. The discussion was followed by a prize giving ceremony for the winner of the essay competition on the same title. Oxfam, ACLAB and Prime University organized the event.

Media Fellowship on Women's

Contribution to Food Security

Women Farmer's Campaign in Bangladesh has provided Media Fellowship to 8 Journalists from national and local media houses with a view to bring into light the Women's Contribution to Food Security in Bangladesh through their media work. Oxfam in Bangladesh Country Director Snehal V Soneji, BSS Chairman Prof. Dr. Golam Rahman, Journalist Ajoy Dasgupta, were present at the Fellowship Awarding Ceremony held on December 25. The ceremony was organized by campaign partner Somasthe.

News on the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hpLsW-KTAQ&feature=youtu.be

Observing Int'l Day for Disaster

Reduction

The Department Of Disaster Management, Oxfam and Christian Aid organized a round table discussion on October 13 to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction at the Daily Star Centre. The Secretary to the disaster management and relief ministry Shah Kamal said in the discussion that earthquake is the biggest challenge for Bangladesh as many buildings are found to be vulnerable to such disasters. Citing Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) statistics, the secretary said there are 72,000 vulnerable buildings

like Rana Plaza, adding that he attempted to demolish such buildings but failed because of legal complications. Director General of Department of Disaster Management Reaz Ahmed stressed the need for blending modern knowledge with traditional knowledge for effective disaster management. CDMP National Project Director MA Qayyum emphasised skill development to fight disaster. He urged the government to take strict steps to stop people from grabbing lands.

Programme Coordinator, Gender and Climate Change for UN Women Dilruba Haider, Oxfam Humanitarian Programme Manager Murshida Akhter and Country Director of Christian Aid Shakeb Nabi also spoke at the discussion. Media Link: http://www.thedailystar.net/city/legal-barriers-obstruct-demolition-156793

Report publication event of National Char Convention held

Oxfam in Bangladesh was among the key organizers of National Char Convention held on June 2015. The Official Report of the Convention was launched on November 17 at the National Press Club, Dhaka. On behave of char people, Ms. Yarun Begum, President, Golna Adarshapara CBO, Gaibandha read out the 14 Points Declaration of the Convention. Mr. Md. Shahriar Alam MP, Honorable State Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs was the Chief Guest of the launching event. At his speech as Honorable Guest, Oxfam in Bangladesh Country Director Mr. Snehal V. Soneji stated about the continuous support of Oxfam to Bangladesh right from its Liberation War and its commitment towards an equitable society for every citizen of the country.

Pre-COP Consultation Meeting with key Policy Makers

The UN Climate Conference (COP21) in Paris must take step towards global action to held responsible countries

accountable so the world‟s poorest, who are hardest hit yet least responsible, get the support they need. Civil society

and Parliament Members at a pre-COP Consultation Meeting today urges governments from developing and LDCs to

place the demand in the upcoming Paris Conference.

Oxfam in Bangladesh, All Party Parliament Groups (APPGs) and PET jointly organized the Consultation Meeting

titled “21 Climate Conference (COP 21) and the Expectation of People” at the Ministers Hostel Conference Room,

National Parliament of Bangladesh on November 26. The Hon‟ble Minister of the Ministry of Information Mr. Hasanul

Haq Inu was the Chief Guest of the meeting while the former Foreign Minister and the President of Parliamentary

Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Dr. Dipu Moni was the Chair. The former Minister of Environment and Forests

and the President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Forests Dr. Hasan Mahmud and

Former Minister of Food and the President of the Parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Finance Dr

Md Abdur Razzak were the Special Guests. The Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forests Dr. Kamal

Uddin Ahmed presented the discussion paper on the context of climate change and Bangladesh’s position for

COP21. Among others 29 Parliaments Members attended in the meeting. Oxfam in Bangladesh Country Director a.i.

M. B. Akhter presented the welcome remarks.

The World Leaders are meeting at the UN Climate Conference (COP21) to be held in Paris from 30th November to

make decisions on climate change that affect us all - but especially those whose lives and livelihoods are most at

risk.

The Asian Women Forum held in Sri Lanka on

December 10-12 featured the case story of a Woman

Farmer of Bangladesh, Mayaboti Coach, a 46 year old

farmer lives in Rangita village. The story was featured

with the demand for climate funds from leaders at the

Paris climate talks.

Please find the story in the following link:

http://www.oxfamblogs.org/asia/asian-women-farmers-

demand-climate-funds-from-leaders-at-the-paris-

climate-talks/

Change Perception and Ways Forward

After recent restructuring of Bangladesh country team towards one programmes goal, the organisation was

restructured with new scope and challenges. It is important to understand how the team now perceives the change

process – coping with the new team dynamics, what are the positive outcome of the change and challenges

involved. This is an outcome of the interview findings with few of the key functional managers and leaders who were

the integral part of the process.

Change Perception:

We view, Change is an opportunity to work in a better way with people. This has opened up new challenges in the

new arena, through the change process we have got a destiny. There was more individualistic approach in

implementation of work.

Now it would be needed to work with others, in consultation with cross functional team, more space has been

created to work together, Like - Humanitarian, Rural, Urban and WIN. A system has been evolving to share

programmatic goal, working together, developing reciprocal relationship though it needs time to grow, practice to

formalize the process for persistency of the approach.

Other departments are also shouldering responsibility from their side as a stakeholder of the programme, thus

coordination and work quality has been improved. Team spirit, trust building, inter-dependency types of values have

been emerging.. On emergency issues fund release is getting faster, in this case top level management is more

sensitive and more pro-active considering all the programme‟s priority.

We have to Influence the institutional power dynamics, leadership should take role to make more positive impact,

more involvement is required from them to make understand shared responsibility and work more efficiently.

Operational level management should be more involved with the process. The one team approach it is now a

reality for more effective resource allocation, cost effectively, it needs more collective effort to institutionalized

operational agenda.

Challenges:

It is only a quarter the change process has been formalized, therefore not possible to make any dramatic change

but the trend shows that-

Oxfam team celebrated the GROW Week with supporting the rights and recognition of women

farmers in Bangladesh in October 2015. Our Country Director Snehal V. Soneji showed his

solidarity with GROW Week in Bangladesh and across the world.

Change in matrix and direct reporting line is taking time to be well adopted. Sometimes it‟s become difficult

to the team to understand the process, especially for some positions those are under matrix management,

therefore ways of working should be more defined and clear.

Lots of open discussion and supportive atmosphere is needed in the team to create a better work platform.

Change process carrying some legacy, which will take time to embedding with the new system.

Some new managers or new roles are struggling to get acceptability and adapt with the process. Individual

leadership helped to do faster work in many cases. Flow of information used to be better in the team for that

reason change process got a mixed reaction, it needs time to be well adopted.

Improvement Areas and Recommendations:

To make the one programme concept more operational, more active participation, open communication and effort is

needed. Country level induction is required on better understanding of one Oxfam goal.

Matrix management issues are to be cleared with specific direction on reporting line, performance management,

ways of work to be established to get better outcome. People management issues should be given concentration

like supportive supervisory role to create enabling environment.

To contribute and know more about other teams - joint field visit, integration of programme can be done.

Gender sensitiveness should be embedded in the culture. Appreciation and celebration to success should be done

widely; sense of shared responsibility should be created for any success and failure.

All staff meeting should take place bi-Monthly or Monthly with reporting to their contribution to the organizational

goal, OSAB should sit with all the staffs regularly.

Top level (CLT) has to motivate the team and follow up One Oxfam and country objective.

Work should be delegated, challenge others ideas, capacity and create opportunity to improve. Well planning,

flexibility in approach, continual improvement is needed.

Initiate to capacity building and management plan to find gap between expected competency level and existing level

also to fill up those gaps in proactive manner. Additional need of human resources should be considered, due to

increased volume of workload and ensure proper monitoring.

Leaders should present themselves as role model, treating all in the same manner and organizational wide practice

of not maintaining hierarchy should be more focused.

Oxfam need to focus on rebuilding its image in next couple of years. We need to generate ideas on how to be more

public focused on new programme design, innovating third generation programme, more dynamic partnership

approach and single theory of change. The change formula should be applicable to all programmes which will

create greater acceptability.

Oxfam has been ranked the third most influential

NGO on climate change/sustainability progress by

sustainability leaders.

According to Sustainability Leaders survey of Globe

Scan among NGOs, the World Wildlife Fund and

Greenpeace emerge as global top performers.

Greenpeace also stands far ahead of the pack as far as

perceived sustainable development leadership (18

percent), followed by Oxfam (9 percent), World

Resources Institute (6 percent), World Business Council

for Sustainable Development (5 percent), CERES and

Environmental Defense Fund (both at 4 percent).

New joiners

Staff:

Aparna Barma People & Culture Manager

Muhammad Al Amin Admin & Logistics Manager

Monira Shamsunnahar Admin & Security Officer

Anisur Rahman Chowdhury Livelihood & Private Sector

Coordinator

Subarna Shaha Sr. Program Officer

Nazmun Nahar Gender Manager

Syeeda Newaz Porna Sr. Program Officer

Khalid Mustafiz Gaffar Sr. Contract Manager

Priodarshine Auvi Sr. Program Officer

Shamim Iftekhar Media & Communication Coordinator

Pulak Chakma Sr. Program Officer- WASH & Market

Obaidul Islam Munna Sr. Program Officer- Urban DRR

New position/promotion

Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty Project Coordinator - ICT & Development

Sultana Nasrin Sr. Program Officer

Md. Mostafa Ali Sr. Program Officer

Ashish Barua Project Coordinator - Resilient WASH

Anindita Sarker Sr. Program Officer- G&WL

Secondment

Murshida Akhter Seconded in Oxfam in Myanmar

Monisha Biswas Seconded in Oxfam in South Africa

Separation

Saikat Biswas Project Coordinator

Abdul Awal Project Officer

Ferdousi Akter Project Officer

Md. Nimul Sr. Project Associate SIMS

Kazi Muhammad Gias Uddin Project Officer- Nutrition

Maksuda Begum Sr. Monitoring Associate

S.M. Jaglul Razib Sr, Program Officer

Shah Alom Finance Officer

Tasha Black Volunteer (Communication)

Md. Emadul Haque Office Attendant

Sanjida Islam Volunteer-HR

Updates from people and culture

Volunteer

Nuzhat Niaz

Bayezid Khan

Roai Ranan

Fatema Tuz Johoora

Contact: Bubul Ahmed

Team Away

23 – 25 February 2016

For further information and query:

Media and Communication Coordinator

Oxfam in Bangladesh

Tel: +88 02 58813607

Cell: +88 01755621780

Email: siftekhar@oxfam.org.uk