October
15, 2000
Khagrachhari,
Oct 14 (UNB) – Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) has launched
a programme styled as “Local Capacities for Peace Project (LCPP)”
in three districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
The
programme, first of its kind in the country, is aimed at bridging the
gap between the tribal and non-tribal people and ensuring their
peaceful coexistence through creating an atmosphere of mutual trust
and respect.
International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society is providing
assistance to implement the LCPP programme in CHT of Bangladesh as
well as Tajikistan and Ethiopia.
Sources
said it is an international programme and the concept has been taken
as a pilot programme to institutionalize post-conflict relief and
rehabilitation experience.
Some
180 people of three hill districts were given training on first aid
and low cost health intervention in February this year and 50 of them
had been given appointments as part time workers under the programme.
A
total of 600 workers, one-third of whom are women, would be given
training under the programme. Both the tribal and non-tribal will be
ensured in the training process from where a total of 150 people, 50
from each district, will be recruited finally.
A
daylong workshop on LCPP was held at Khagrachhari recently.
The
workshop identified eight problems under the programme. These are:
area poverty, lower level of education, poor health condition, poor
water and sanitation, vulnerability of women, environmental
degradation, social and religious conflict and rehabilitation of the
returnees and internally displaced people.
The
inaugural session of the workshop was addressed by LCPP programme Co-ordinator
Netor Arnest Cumming, Chief Co-ordinator Upandra Lal Chakma, president
of Jumma Refugee Welfare Association, Senior Advisor of BDRCS Anwar
Hoshen.
The
CHT Development Project Co-ordinator Mominul Hoshen, Nazmul Azam Khan,
District Red Crescent Unit Officer Khalilur Rahman and Khagrachhari
District Unit Secretary Kongjari Chowdhury also attend the programme.
Work
on the project has begun in June this year and is expected to be
completed by next June.
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