Paper short abstract:

Under World Humanitarian Summit (2016) call for localisation, evaluation of such approaches remains an understudied area. We undertook remote research guiding local agencies to conduct surveys, interviews group discussions in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Faith actors could support humanitarian and development efforts but have to consciously counter gender biases and exclusionary practices.

Paper long abstract:

The international aid community at the World Humanitarian Summit (2016) committed to the localization agenda – to reinforce, not replace national and local systems and invest in local capacities. The evaluation of localisation approaches remains an understudied area.

We undertook remote research guiding local agencies to conduct household surveys (n=100), Key informant interviews (45) and six FGDs (n=36) with key humanitarian and health stakeholders, faith leaders refugee and host communities in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Faith actors such as imams, majhis, moajjins, madrassa teachers, Tablighi Jamaat and mosque committee members appeared to be key actors who played an instrumental role in spreading awareness as trusted sources by means consistent with the worldviews of community members. Faith leaders encouraged people to maintain effective personal hygiene whilst practicing fatalist beliefs that Corona (colloquial reference) was Allah's curse or command, and it can be overcome through religious prayers.

The localisation approach included an investigation into women’s role in advancing knowledge within this intersection of science and faith. We found that although efforts were made for recruitment and training of Rohingya volunteers , there were challenges to include female Rohingya refugees within these settings. Qualitative data demonstrated the vital role played by women leaders in reaching out to the female members of the Rohingya communities. Female leaders are able to not only influence women community members but also encourage children to practice COVID-19 reduction practices, reducing the vector transmission of COVID-19. Faith based leaders play a critical role at the intersection of faith and COVID-19 public health. Local faith leaders can support humanitarian and longer-term recovery actions within the wider discourse on the role of faith and faith leadership in humanitarian response.