Rohingya emergency
Rohingya emergency
They joined previous influxes of Rohingya who fled the country in the 1970s and 90s. Today, more than 1 million Rohingya refugees live in Bangladesh, most of them in Cox's Bazar district, near the border with Myanmar. The strain on the local host community and its already stretched facilities and services has been immense.
Registered Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh
Visit the Data Portal for more statistics
Bangladesh hosts the largest refugee settlement in the world.
Most Rohingya refugees are living in 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar, which together make up the world’s largest refugee settlement. Nearly eight years on from the most recent major influx from Myanmar, this is also one of the world's largest protracted refugee situations.
Since 2017, the humanitarian community has closely collaborated with the Government of Bangladesh to respond to the humanitarian repercussions of this massive displacement. Despite these efforts, living conditions in the densely populated camps are dire, particularly for women and children who are vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and human trafficking. Ensuring a safe environment for refugees, including by protecting them from natural hazards, fire, and environmental degradation, remains a challenge. Between June and October, the monsoon season brings intense rainfall and strong winds, elevating the risk of floods and landslides for hundreds of thousands of Rohingya living in fragile shelters made of bamboo and tarpaulin.
Intense conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in recent times has worsened the plight of the Rohingya still living there and left many with no choice but to risk the journey to Bangladesh.
“We have overcome so many traumatic incidents. Violence in the camps is increasing, and even the sound of a balloon bursting makes people afraid at night. We are afraid that we will never go back to our homeland. We worry about our children’s futures.”
What is UNHCR doing to help?
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its partners are actively supporting the Government's efforts to address the humanitarian and protection needs of Rohingya refugees. Entirely dependent on humanitarian aid, they require assistance with food, water, shelter, education and health, as well as protection. As Bangladesh faces extreme weather and natural disaster risks, UNHCR is emphasizing the necessity for disaster-resilient and environmentally conscious programming. To mitigate potential tensions between refugees and hosts, the organization is also addressing challenges impacting host communities, including environmental degradation and lack of health services.
Given the protracted nature of the crisis, maintaining the international community’s attention and funding has become increasingly challenging. As a result, humanitarian agencies, including UNHCR, are having to prioritize life-saving interventions, leaving some basic needs unmet. This situation is particularly detrimental to women and children, who constitute over 75 per cent of the refugee population and are more vulnerable to abuse and violence. The international community's support is crucial to ensure life-sustaining assistance for Rohingya refugees.
Life in the world’s largest refugee settlement
Are you a refugee or asylum-seeker? Find information about your rights and available services on our HELP site.
Are you looking for data on displacement in Myanmar? Visit the UNHCR data portal for the latest data and statistics on refugees and other displaced persons.
For information on UNHCR's operational response, budgets and funding, please visit the Myanmar situation page on Global Focus.
