Since the inception of borders on the world map, nationality has been an integral part of an individual’s identity. But what are the consequences if someone is unjustifiably stripped off of this identity? What happens when one is forcibly and violently displaced from the country they call home?
The refugee crisis in the present world is the result of acute violations of human rights. By the end of June 2023, 110 million people worldwide were displaced from their homes by force, of which 36.4 million were refugees (30.5 million as per UNHCR’s mandate and 5.94 million Palestinian refugees as per UNRWA’s mandate).
This situation has rather worsened in 2024, adding to the number of persecuted refugees around the world.
On the occasion of World Refugee Day 2024, let’s look into one of the most brutal refugee cases at home, the Rohingya refugee crisis.
After years of living as “stateless” people in their own country since 1982, the Rohingya were forced to take shelter in Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries like Thailand, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia in the face of severe violence and persecution. More than 960,000 Rohingya refugees now reside in and around Kutupalong and Nayapara refugee camps in Ukhia, Cox’s Bazar.
Since 2021, nearly 30,000 refugees have been relocated to the Bhasan Char Island. But in these overcrowded camps, their future is far from being bright. From taking the blow of climate change to tackling the increasing crime rates due to poverty within the camps, the lives of the Rohingya people are more than just challenging.
They are in health risk as well. According to a recent study by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) which have been actively and solely providing Hepatisis C care within the rohingya camps for four years, nearly 20% of the refugees in Cox’s Bazar camps have an active hepatisis C infection. Although the MSF is set to take acute steps in collaboration with national and international organisations against this health crisis, implementation in the overcrowded camps seems to be extremely challenging
Also, international aid is also depleting. According to the International Crisis Group, International aid for the Rohingya community is decreasing sharply and as a result, the UN had to cut down vital food assistance in the camps by one-third in 2023. Driven by insecurity and poverty, many of the refugees resort to criminal activities like theft, and drug dealing, abduction, and even murder. According to Cox’s Bazar Police, at least 328 cases have been filed against more than 700 Rohingyas over various crimes since the exodus in August 2017.
The risk of both sex and labour trafficking for the refugees has also been on the rise. Gangs under transnational human trafficking syndicates operate from Teknaf to traffic the Rohingyas to different destinations like Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Middle East via sea routes. According to a US-based report, law enforcers rescued more than 130 Rohingyas from getting trafficked recently.
As per the International Crisis Group, women and girls have been found embarking on perilous boat journeys or overland travel via Myanmar and Thailand to Malaysia, with their trips being paid for by Rohingya men in exchange for marriage. Others stay and get married off at an early age. The risk of gender-based violence and intimate partner violence also persist among them more than ever.
Additionally, the cost of natural disasters for the refugees in camps are multiplied due to weak bamboo and tarpaulin shelters, especially because the areas are prone to landslides and floods. According to an article by New Internationalist, Cyclone Mora destroyed thousands of makeshift homes in 2017, Cyclone Sitrang affected 33,000 refugees in 2022 and Cyclone Mocha left 40,000 people without shelter in 2023.
Just recently on 24 May 2024, a fire swept through Camp 13 in Ukhiya affecting shelters and infrastructures for 1,100 refugees, as per Rohingya Refugee Response Bangladesh. Cyclone Remal hit the coasts of Bangladesh on 26 May 2024 and heavy rainfall occurred on the 27 and 28 May, worsening the fire damage situation for the Rohingya refugees.
Earlier this year, on 7 January, a deadly fire broke out in Camp 5, leaving 5,000 Rohingya refugees shelter less, 3,500 of them being children. Besides, at least 1,500 children lost access to education as 20 of their learning facilities were destroyed in the fire. (Source: UNICEF).
Although Bangladesh has set an extraordinary example of being an empathetic neighbour, this step comes with some repercussions for the country too. Along with the rise in crime rate induced by helplessness, the environmental costs of accommodating the camps are huge.
According to the UNDP, 4,300 acres of hills and forests with Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary, Himchhari National Park, and Inani National Park included, were razed to make temporary shelters and cooking fuel in Ukhia and Teknaf. About 1,485 hectares of forest land under Ukhiya, Whykong, and Teknaf ranges has been trespassed for collecting firewood. Thus, 26,600 hectares of a total of 60,000 hectares of forest land in Cox’s Bazar stand at risk of degradation.
Although the UNHCR continues to engage in political discourse on the repatriation of the refugees, we will require sustained and adequate financial support until safe and respectful returns are possible to ensure a safe and permanent abode for the Rohingya refugees.
The chances for repatriation have been mentioned by the Myanmar government, but they don’t guarantee citizenship to the Rohingya. The Myanmar government has rather suggested only a National Verification Card (NVC) last year. As a result, many of the refugees are reluctant to go back as they fear further persecution, according to Al Jazeera.
The progressive and constructive intervention of the EU and other international organisations is imperative to mitigate the Rohingya crisis, alongside other grave refugee crises around the world. Creating job opportunities and long-lasting shelters can somehow ease the living conditions of the refugees.
However, the policies have to be far-sighted and adjust to the possibility that the refugees are unlikely to return to their homeland anytime soon, particularly because of uncertainty, demolition of assets and lack of security. This World Refugee Day, we acknowledge the refugees’ right to education, shelter, health, food, security, and provision for a stable future.