Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :
The influx of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh continues unabated, with an estimated 60 to 70 individuals crossing the border daily, exacerbating the challenges in already overcrowded camps.
Over the past three to four months, approximately 60,000 to 70,000 Rohingyas have fled escalating violence in Myanmar, according to the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC).
This surge has intensified pressure on resources, leaving many new arrivals without adequate shelter, food, water, sanitation, and essential services. Vulnerabilities to abuse, neglect, and exploitation, particularly among women and children, have also increased.
Many of the newly displaced are being accommodated by relatives already living in the camps, further stretching limited resources. These host families have been sharing their food rations and living spaces, but shortages are becoming increasingly severe.
Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, a senior RRRC official, told The New Nation on Wednesday that a headcount of the new arrivals is currently underway. “The situation in the camps is deteriorating rapidly,” Rahman said. “While the World Food Programme (WFP) is providing some food allocations to those counted, the rising numbers are placing immense strain on camp infrastructure and humanitarian assistance.”
Despite ongoing efforts, the overcrowded camps pose significant challenges for aid organisations and authorities. The 2024 Joint Response Plan (JRP) has requested $852.4 million to assist 1.35 million people, including Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhashan Char, as well as Bangladeshi host communities in Ukhiya and Teknaf. As of 31 October, only 53 per cent ($452.1 million) of the required funding has been secured. Funding shortfalls have persisted since the onset of the crisis in August 2017, with donors contributing 68 per cent of the total requirements over the last seven years.
In 2024, key sectors remain underfunded. For example, while $232.1 million was requested for food security, only $162.4 million (69.95 per cent) has been received. The shelter sector has fared worse, with only 14.84 per cent of its $157.6 million requirement secured.
Similar shortfalls are seen in health (15.21 per cent) and education (16.48 per cent). This consistent underfunding hampers the availability of critical services for refugees, particularly the newly arrived, who face severe challenges, including malnutrition and inadequate healthcare.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) recently reported an increase in the number of children under five suffering from moderate and severe malnutrition. “Our teams are treating newly displaced Rohingya refugees in the camps, including critically ill and war-wounded patients with injuries from mortar shells and gunfire,” said Orla Murphy, MSF’s country representative in Bangladesh.
She urged authorities to ensure unhindered access to humanitarian assistance, care, and protection for all refugees.
Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi government continues to call on the international community for greater support.
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain highlighted at the ‘Bay of Bengal Conversation 2024’ event that cooperation from neighbouring countries has been less than anticipated. “There seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel for a quick resolution, and if unresolved, this crisis will evolve into a global problem,” he warned.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Interim Government of Bangladesh, led by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, has appointed Dr Khalilur Rahman as the High Representative for the Rohingya issue. However, despite ongoing international appeals, no Rohingya repatriations have occurred, with fresh arrivals continuing to strain Bangladesh’s resources. The situation, as noted by RRRC officials, is becoming increasingly critical.
