Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh The Rohingya refugee community in Bangladesh continues to struggle with a deepening food crisis, restrictive work opportunities, and an uncertain future, as they increasingly call for their rights to be recognized before returning to Myanmar.
Food Crisis in Camps
Nearly one million Rohingya refugees, most of whom fled Myanmar during the 2017 military crackdown, are confined to overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar. Despite recent adjustments in monthly food rations to $12 per person, the rising cost of essentials has left families struggling to meet their nutritional needs.
“With $12, I can only afford rice and a little oil for the month,” said Halima Khatun, a mother of three in Kutupalong camp. “We are forced to skip meals or eat less, and our children are suffering from malnutrition.”
The situation is compounded by restrictions on employment. Refugees are barred from formal jobs in Bangladesh, leaving them to rely on aid or poorly paid informal work, such as day labor or selling small goods.
Shifting Dynamics in Rakhine State
Despite these hardships, many Rohingya refugees are expressing a strong desire to return to Myanmar, where the political situation in Rakhine State has shifted. The Arakan Army (AA) now controls large parts of the region, displacing Myanmar’s military in many areas. The AA has shown some willingness to engage with ethnic minorities, raising cautious hopes among the Rohingya for potential repatriation.
“We want to go back, but only if we are given full citizenship, safety, and the rights we deserve,” said Mohammad Younus, a refugee leader. “Without those guarantees, we cannot trust that history won’t repeat itself.”
2017 Genocide and the Path to Repatriation
The 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar, which the UN labeled as genocide, forced over 800,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh. Survivors recount horrific violence, including mass killings, sexual assaults, and the destruction of entire villages.
While these atrocities remain fresh in the collective memory of the Rohingya, many are willing to return if their demands are met. These include legal recognition as Myanmar citizens, land rights, freedom of movement, safety assurances, and justice for the crimes committed against them.
Calls for International Support
Humanitarian organizations are urging the global community to address the dual crises faced by the Rohingya: the immediate food insecurity in the camps and the need for a long-term resolution to their plight.
“The Rohingya deserve more than survival,” said a representative from Human Rights Watch. “The international community must pressure Myanmar to create conditions for a safe and dignified return, while also ensuring adequate aid in the camps.”
The Bangladeshi government, which has hosted the refugees for over six years, is also pressing for global involvement in resolving the crisis.
A Dignified Future
For the Rohingya, the dream of returning home remains strong, but only under conditions that guarantee their safety and dignity. “We don’t want to live as refugees forever,” said Noor Jahan, a mother in Balukhali camp. “If we get our rights, we will return. Until then, we can only pray the world will listen to our voices.”
The Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh fled Myanmar following brutal military crackdowns beginning on August 25, 2017. During this period, the Myanmar military’s clearance operations in the Maungdaw region led to the destruction of 362 villages and forced over 680,000 Rohingya to flee their homes, according to a March 2018 report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The survivors of these atrocities now face continued persecution in their supposed places of refuge.
Human rights organizations and community leaders have called for immediate action to address this crisis. They are urging the Bangladesh government, international agencies, and humanitarian groups to strengthen security measures in the camps, crack down on trafficking networks, and provide better support for victims and their families.
