Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh – As winter tightens its grip, newly arrived Rohingya refugees are struggling to survive in the harsh conditions of the world’s largest refugee settlement. Since the end of last year, many refugees have arrived in Bangladesh, fleeing fresh violence in Myanmar. However, they have found little relief in the camps, where resources are already stretched thin, and support from aid organizations has been slow to reach them.
Many of these new arrivals initially sought shelter with relatives in the camps, hoping that NGOs and humanitarian agencies would step in to provide assistance. However, the expected help has not arrived. Overcrowding in small makeshift shelters has forced some families to turn away their relatives, as they simply do not have enough space, food, or supplies to accommodate them. As a result, many of the newly arrived refugees are now sleeping in the open, exposed to the bitter winter cold.
With limited access to proper shelter, warm clothing, and heating, these refugees face life-threatening conditions. Children, the elderly, and those with health conditions are especially vulnerable to respiratory infections, hypothermia, and other winter-related illnesses. According to local reports, several individuals, particularly infants and older adults, have already fallen seriously ill due to the freezing temperatures.
“I have been here for two months, and I still don’t have a proper shelter,” said an elderly refugee woman, who arrived from Maungdaw with her grandchildren. “At night, we sleep under a thin plastic sheet. The cold is unbearable, and my youngest grandson is sick. We need help, but no one has come.”
Several community leaders and refugee volunteers have raised concerns about the deteriorating situation. They have urged humanitarian agencies and the Bangladeshi authorities to take immediate action to provide emergency winter aid. So far, many of these calls have gone unanswered, leaving thousands of people in desperate conditions.
“The situation is alarming,” said a Rohingya youth volunteer who has been assisting new arrivals. “These refugees left their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They have no blankets, no warm clothes, and no proper shelter. If immediate assistance is not provided, we may see a rise in winter-related deaths.”
In addition to the harsh weather, the lack of food and medical care is worsening the crisis. Many refugees have not been officially registered, meaning they are not receiving food rations or healthcare services. Humanitarian groups have warned that without urgent intervention, the situation could lead to further suffering and loss of life.
The Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh have faced years of hardship since the military crackdown in Myanmar forced over 700,000 people to flee in 2017. Now, as a new wave of refugees arrives, they find themselves in an equally dire situation, struggling to survive in a place that is meant to offer safety.
Community members and human rights groups are calling on international organizations, NGOs, and the Bangladeshi government to address this growing crisis. They emphasize that immediate winter aid, including blankets, proper shelter, and medical supplies, is critical to preventing further suffering.
As the winter continues, the fate of these refugees remains uncertain. Without urgent action, their struggle for survival will only become more desperate
