Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh Amid the sprawling refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, home to nearly a million Rohingya refugees, one of the most vulnerable groups continues to suffer in silence: persons with disabilities. While the humanitarian crisis of the Rohingya has drawn global attention, the struggles of those living with disabilities both acquired and pre-existing have been largely overlooked, leaving them to endure immense hardship with little to no support.
The Rohingya exodus from Myanmar in 2017 was marked by brutal military operations, including mass killings, sexual violence, and arson, leading to one of the largest refugee crises in recent history. Many Rohingya who survived the atrocities now live with lifelong disabilities due to bullet wounds, landmine explosions, or severe beatings. Others have congenital disabilities, illnesses, or age-related impairments that make survival in the overcrowded and poorly resourced camps even more challenging.
According to data from humanitarian agencies, thousands of Rohingya refugees in the camps are living with physical, sensory, or intellectual disabilities. However, access to specialized healthcare, assistive devices, and inclusive education remains minimal, further isolating them from the rest of the community.
For those with mobility impairments, navigating the hilly and muddy terrain of the refugee camps is nearly impossible. Makeshift shelters are built on steep slopes with no proper paths, ramps, or wheelchair accessibility.
“My son lost both his legs in a landmine blast while fleeing Myanmar. Here in the camp, we have no wheelchair, no proper toilet for him, and no way for him to move around freely,” said Fatima Begum, a Rohingya mother living in Kutupalong camp.
Water and sanitation facilities are another major challenge. Many latrines and bathing spaces are not designed for people with disabilities, forcing them to rely on family members or, in some cases, go without proper hygiene.
“I often have to crawl to the toilet because my family members are not always around to help,” shared Rahim Ullah, a 32-year-old amputee.
Additionally, those with visual or hearing impairments struggle to access information about aid distributions, medical services, and safety warnings.
“When there is an emergency, such as a fire or cyclone warning, I do not know what is happening because no one explains it to me in a way I can understand,” said Salim, a 19-year-old with a hearing impairment.
Medical services in the camps are already overstretched, and specialized care for persons with disabilities is nearly non-existent. While some NGOs provide rehabilitation services, physical therapy, and assistive devices like crutches or wheelchairs, these are not widely available and often require long waiting periods.
Many refugees with disabilities also suffer from untreated mental health conditions, including trauma from past violence. The lack of psychological support services leaves them in despair.
“Many of my Rohingya brothers and sisters who have lost limbs in Myanmar feel hopeless here because they have no future,” said Mohamed Ismail, a community volunteer.
For Rohingya children with disabilities, education remains a distant dream. The learning centers set up in the camps often lack inclusive teaching methods, trained teachers, or facilities that accommodate special needs students.
As a result, many children with disabilities miss out on education altogether.
The situation is no better for adults with disabilities. The limited livelihood programs in the camps rarely consider their needs, leaving them with no means to earn an income or contribute to their families. This deepens their dependence on others and further isolates them from the community.
Despite these challenges, disability rights advocates and humanitarian organizations stress that more needs to be done to ensure that Rohingya refugees with disabilities receive equal access to aid and services.
“We need urgent action to make camp infrastructure more accessible, provide assistive devices on a larger scale, and integrate disability inclusion into all humanitarian programs,” said a representative from an international NGO working in Cox’s Bazar.
Additionally, community-led initiatives are emerging to support persons with disabilities. Some Rohingya volunteers are organizing local awareness programs to encourage families and neighbors to be more inclusive and supportive.
However, these grassroots efforts need more resources and support from international agencies.
The plight of Rohingya refugees with disabilities is a stark reminder that humanitarian aid must be inclusive of all vulnerable populations. Without urgent intervention, this marginalized group will continue to face discrimination, isolation, and suffering in one of the world’s largest refugee settlements.
As the international community debates long-term solutions for the Rohingya crisis, it is crucial that persons with disabilities are not left behind. They, too, deserve dignity, access to basic needs, and a future where they can thrive despite their physical or cognitive limitations.
