Rohingya emergency
Rohingya emergency
They joined previous influxes of Rohingya who fled the country in the 70s and 90s. Today, nearly 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.
Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh
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Most Rohingya refugees are living in 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar, which together make up the world’s largest refugee settlement. More than six years on from the latest 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.
During the rainy season, refugees living in overcrowded camps and lacking proper water and sanitation facilities are also at heightened risk from water-borne diseases such as hepatitis, acute diarrhoea and dengue.
Climate change means it’s too hot during the summer and too rainy during the monsoon,” says Samia. “I’ve seen with my own eyes shelters being broken by landslides and people being injured.
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 Bangladesh faces climate change 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 donor attention and funding has become increasingly challenging. As a result, humanitarian agencies, including UNHCR, are having to prioritize critical 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 gender-based violence. The international community's support is crucial to ensure life-sustaining assistance for Rohingya refugees.
Life in the world’s largest refugee settlement
Rohingya refugee girls attending an Adolescents’ Club in Kutupalong camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
A vendor walks through one of the camps in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
Girls collect water at a water point in Kutupalong.
Boys play soccer on the edge of one of the camps in Kutupalong.
Refugees walk through smoke from a fire in Kutupalong’s Balukhali refugee camp on 5 March 2023.
A Rohingya refugee and community outreach volunteer who works to raise awareness about gender-based violence in Kutupalong.
Rohingya refugee women learn how to make bags and other products from jute at the Jute Production Centre in Kutupalong.
Rohingya refugee volunteers work at a nursery that grows plants to re-green the camps.
Children get ready to play football in Camp 2 East section of Kutupalong.
Children play football in Kutupalong refugee camp, Cox’s Bazar.
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.
