Rohingya Refugees Research Articles

Precarious Lives of Rohingya Refugee Women Emerging as Caregivers: A Visual Anal

Precarious Lives of Rohingya Refugee Women Emerging as Caregivers: A Visual Anal

Climate-resilient water resource management for Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh

The Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh face severe water resource challenges, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. With a rapidly growing population, the demand for water in these camps has surged, leading to over-extraction of groundwater and deteriorating water quality. Seasonal variations, including monsoons and dry spells, further strain the limited water resources, creating periods of acute scarcity and contamination risks. Climate change intensifies these issues by altering precipitation patterns and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, jeopardizing the sustainability of current water supply systems. This paper explores sustainable water resource planning strategies tailored to the unique context of the Rohingya camps, emphasizing climate resilience and community-based approaches. By integrating innovative technologies and policy interventions, the study aims to propose solutions that ensure long-term water security for the refugee population. Sustainable water resource planning is crucial for addressing the compounded challenges of water scarcity and quality in Rohingya refugee camps, particularly under the escalating pressures of climate change. As climate change alters precipitation patterns and increases the frequency of extreme weather events, the vulnerability of water systems in these densely populated settlements intensifies. Effective planning must integrate climate resilience, ensuring reliable access to safe water despite environmental uncertainties. This involves adopting adaptive management strategies, leveraging innovative technologies, and fostering community participation to enhance system robustness and flexibility. Sustainable planning not only addresses immediate water needs but also builds long-term resilience, reducing dependency on overstressed groundwater resources and mitigating the impacts of climate-induced disruptions. This paper underscores the importance of holistic and forward-thinking approaches in securing water resources for the Rohingya population in the face of a changing climate. The study identifies critical gaps in current water resource management practices within Rohingya refugee camps and emphasizes the necessity for sustainable planning amidst climate change impacts. Key findings reveal that over-reliance on groundwater, coupled with inadequate infrastructure and seasonal variability, significantly undermines water security. The research recommends the implementation of integrated water resource management (IWRM) strategies, incorporating both traditional and innovative solutions such as rainwater harvesting, solar-powered water purification, and community-led water conservation practices. Enhancing policy frameworks to support sustainable water management and fostering collaborations among stakeholders are also crucial. Furthermore, climate resilience measures, including infrastructure fortification against extreme weather events, are imperative for long-term sustainability. These recommendations aim to establish a resilient water supply system that can adapt to future climate conditions while ensuring equitable access to safe water for the Rohingya population.

Comprehensive strategies for effective fecal sludge management in Humanitarian Settings: A case study of Cox’s Bazar Rohingya Response

The influx of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) into Bangladesh has necessitated the development of robust Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) strategies in Cox’s Bazar to ensure safe and sustainable sanitation solutions. Effective fecal sludge management (FSM) is crucial in humanitarian settings for public health, environmental protection, and dignity. This study investigates comprehensive FSM strategies in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya refugee camps, one of the largest and most complex humanitarian crises. Using a mixed-methods approach, it combines quantitative data from surveys and field observations with qualitative insights from interviews and document analysis to examine the FSM value chain, including sludge production, containment, collection/emptying, transport, treatment, and disposal/reuse. Findings show high sludge production rates require frequent desludging, with challenges in containment due to structural weaknesses and privacy concerns. Collection and emptying face logistical and health issues, while transport is hindered by difficult terrain and limited vehicle availability. Treatment facilities are often inadequate, leading to operational challenges and environmental risks. Despite these issues, disposal and reuse practices in agriculture show promise but need safety and community acceptance improvements. The study recommends increasing desludging capacity, enhancing containment designs, improving transport infrastructure, expanding treatment facilities, and promoting safe disposal and reuse practices. Emphasizing community engagement, technological innovations, and coordinated efforts among stakeholders is crucial for sustainable FSM systems. Future research should focus on innovative technologies, long-term sustainability, and scalability of FSM strategies across contexts. This research provides valuable insights and practical recommendations for improving sanitation in similar emergency contexts worldwide.

The Role of Muslim Rohingya Refugee Community-Based Organizations in Malaysia

The Rohingya refugee crisis has spurred the formation of community-based organizations (CBOs) among Muslim Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. This qualitative research explores the role and impact of these organizations within the refugee community. By employing a mixed-methods approach, including semi-structured interviews and content analysis, the study delves into the motivations, activities, challenges, and outcomes of Rohingya CBOs. The findings suggest that these CBOs play a critical role in bridging the gap between formal assistance and the unique needs of the Rohingya population in Malaysia. They offer vital services, foster a sense of belonging, and contribute to mental well-being. However, challenges related to resources and sustainability are apparent. This research contributes to a better understanding of refugee agencies and grassroots initiatives. It sheds light on the significance of CBOs as agents of change, amplifying the voices and actions of refugees themselves. The study's findings show that both policy and practice support and empower refugee communities.

Peran United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) dalam Menangani Pemenuhan Hak Anak-Anak Pengungsi Rohingya di Bangladesh Tahun 2017-2023

The refugee crisis experienced by Bangladesh due to the mass exodus of Rohingya refugees fleeing ethnic conflict in Myanmar is one of the largest refugee issues in the world. This crisis needs to be addressed immediately as it can threaten the lives of both the local population and the refugees themselves. Overcrowded shelters, housing nearly 1 million refugees with half of the population being children, increase the risk of disease transmission and violence, which can be a deadly combination for children. Therefore, to tackle the refugee problem, especially in fulfilling the rights of Rohingya children in Bangladesh, international actors' assistance is urgently needed. One of the organizations involved is UNICEF. UNICEF strives to provide aid in line with its capabilities and functions as an international organization focused on children and women. The aid provided by UNICEF is in the form of foreign aid or humanitarian assistance, divided into two types: material assistance and technical assistance. Material assistance includes the provision of clean water, food, hygiene supplies, education, and shelter. Technical assistance is provided through protection, training, and counseling. In its efforts to meet the needs of Rohingya refugee children, UNICEF has established the "UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action for Children in Bangladesh: Rohingya Influx" program, covering several sectors, including Child Protection, Health, Education, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and Nutrition. The humanitarian assistance provided aligns with the stipulations of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) regarding the fulfillment of the rights of refugee children.

Shifting Attitudes of Acehnese towards Rohingya Refugees

Various rejections by local Acehnese, as well as netizens on social media, have emerged against the newly arrived Rohingya refugees on the beaches of Aceh. The rejection ranges from the locals' rejection of the boats to land to the forced removal of the refugees by students. This change in response from the local Acehnese community is surprising, as the local community's response to the refugees has been known to be positive since the first boat arrived. Through a qualitative analysis that connects the issue with the concept of autochthony, this research found that such concept is connected to the shifting response of the Acehnese towards the newly arrived Rohingya refugees, whereas the concept’s key points of (1) protection of ancestral heritage as well as (2) fear of being contaminated by foreign influences, are prevalent in the locals’ recent gestures and acts of refusals. If this attitude is maintained, it is not impossible that more discrimination towards the Rohingya refugees could take place in the near future.

Rohingya Refugee Education in Malaysia: An Analysis of Current Standards and Challenges

The Rohingyas, the longest-standing stateless refugees in Malaysia, are continuously denied access to formal education. The UN Refugee Agency and local non-government organizations run learning centers that offer non-formal education to Rohingya children. Existing literature highlights that, in the absence of formal openings, alternative educational programmes remain the main provider of refugee education in Malaysia. This study, using the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies' five-domain framework, examines the educational standards provided to Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. The findings suggest that most learning centers lack financial, human, and infrastructural resources. Lack of opportunity for secondary schooling makes primary education less worth it. Moreover, prevailing cultural and religious norms make it challenging for Rohingya children (especially girls) to access educational opportunities outside the community. National examinations and academic accreditation for learning are inaccessible to refugees, including Rohingyas. This paper deliberates on some immediate and long-term measures that can potentially address these issues. However, all actors, including UNHCR and the Malaysian government, must collaborate towards formulating a sustainable solution to this critical problem.

Prevalence and severity of periodontal disease in the host community and Rohingya refugees living in camps in Bangladesh.

To assess the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease of the Rohingya refugees and host community in Bangladesh. An unpublished pilot was conducted for the sample size calculation. Two-stage cluster sampling method was used to select 50 participants from refugee camps and 50 from the host community. Structured questionnaire and periodontal examination were completed. Composite measures of periodontal disease were based on the World Workshop (WW) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-American Academy of Periodontology. Linear regression models, for clinical attachment level and periodontal pocket depth (PPD) and ordered logistic regression models, for composite measures, were fitted to test the association of periodontal measures and refugee status. Compared to the host community, a smaller percentage of refugees reported good oral health-related behaviours. Refugees exhibited lower levels of bleeding on probing but higher PPD, hence a higher proportion had severe stages of periodontitis. As per the WW, prevalence of periodontal disease was 88% and 100% in the host and refugee groups, respectively. In the unadjusted models, refugees were three times more likely to have severe stages of periodontitis; this association was attenuated when adjusted for confounders (sociodemographic variables and oral health-related behaviours). Prevalence of periodontitis was high both in the host community and refugees. The refugees exhibited a more severe disease profile. The oral health of both groups is under-researched impacting the response of the health system. Large-scale research systematically exploring the oral health of both groups will inform the design and delivery of community-based interventions.

Power in coordinating supply chain projects in humanitarian settings: A case study of Rohingya refugee camps

AbstractHow and why is power used in humanitarian projects? Coordinating organizations, such as UN agencies, carry power and influence over NGOs to advance the interests of beneficiaries. However, coordination can be managed by a single authority or by multiple authorities that share or delegate responsibilities. Furthermore, coordinators may leverage different types of power, including non‐mediated forms like referent and expert power, or mediated forms such as reward, legitimate, or coercive power. This research draws upon 57 interviews regarding organizational behavior with members of international and local non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), UN agencies, and government officials involved in managing Rohingya refugee camps in Southern Bangladesh. The observations suggest that in single‐authority layered projects, referent and expert powers are commonly employed, leading to improvements in quality and delivery performance. Reward power is typically wielded informally and is linked to cost performance. In dual‐layered projects, legitimate power is used to enhance quality and delivery performance. This article's originality lies in its extension of the use of power to multi‐tiered supply chain settings; its contribution is to organizational theory regarding the resolution of principal‐agent issues; and its insights are into the nuanced effects of different types of power based on project types. It offers valuable guidance to policymakers and practitioners, highlighting effective approaches for coordinating inter‐organizational efforts in challenging and unconventional supply chain settings.

Dynamics of Indonesian Public Opinion on the Rohingya Crisis in Time Perspective Using Traditional Machine Learning and Deep Learning

The Rohingya are an ethnic minority who currently still face persecution and discrimination in Myanmar, so they have to flee to neighboring countries, such as Indonesia. However, the polemic regarding the issue of the existence of Rohingya refugees in Indonesia still shows that there are differences of opinion between groups who support and oppose it. For this reason, this research aims to determine the dynamics of Indonesian public opinion regarding the Rohingya from 2015-2023 via Twitter, as well as find out the topics that are often discussed each year using LDA. This research compares classification methods using traditional machine learning algorithms (NB, SVM, LR, and DT) and deep learning algorithms (LSTM, GRU, LSTM-GRU, and GRU-LSTM). The research results show that the traditional machine learning algorithm, LR, has the highest accuracy. There has been a change in sentiment from initially being dominated by positive sentiment to negative sentiment which is more dominant in the last five years. The topics that are often discussed for positive sentiment are the support of the Indonesian people for the Rohingya in providing assistance and shelter, while the negative topics are related to concerns about the social, economic, and security impacts that may be caused by the presence of Rohingya refugees.

Rohingya Refugee in Bangladesh: An Overview from Multi-DimenSional Approaches

The Rohingya refugee crisis is not a recent phenomenon for Bangladesh rather Bangladesh has started experiencing the problems of the issue of Refugees since 1978. Presently, a large number of unregistered refugees fled from Myanmar and are living in two official camps in Nayapara and Kutupalong which have become a matter of great concern for Bangladesh. These people are simply spoiling the reputation of Bangladesh in the international arena, at the same time, becoming the security threat for Bangladesh through committing various crimes including involving themselves in terror activities, working like drug traffickers and others as well as using fake Bangladeshi passport. However, this article is a comprehensive study to understand about- “Rohingya Refugee in Bangladesh: An Overview from Multi-Dimensional Approaches”. Here, obviously tried to understand from Bangladesh perspective but also an objective study of how Bangladesh is facing challenges to deal with the crisis and also a discussion on how other powerful countries and International Organizations are working to resolve the most burning issue. Moreover, this article argues that the Rohingya crisis is no longer only a humanitarian calamity but a potential threat to Bangladesh’s internal stability.

Juridical Analysis of Protection of the Rights of Indonesian Citizens & Ethnic Rohingya Refugees in Indonesia: A Meta-Analysis Based on Humanitarian and Security Aspects

Juridical Analysis of Protection of the Rights of Indonesian Citizens & Ethnic Rohingya Refugees in Indonesia: A Meta-Analysis Based on Humanitarian and Security Aspects

Spatial landslide risk assessment in a highly populated Rohingya refugee settlement area of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT In recent times, landslides have become a major concern in the southeast part of Bangladesh. This study aims to develop comprehensive landslide risk mapping by applying the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and geospatial techniques in Ukhiya and Teknaf Upazilas, a highly populated Rohingya Refugee Settlement area. To assess the landslide risk, we selected 12 influencing criteria of hazard, vulnerability and exposure under the relevant components of risk, such as precipitation intensity, landslide inventory, distance to fault line, stream density, distance to stream network, elevation, aspect, slope, geology, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), land use and land cover (LULC), and population density. These spatial criteria were weighted using the AHP model. The weighted overlay techniques were then used to produce the landslide risk map. The findings demonstrate that 2.19% of the total area is classified as a very high risk zone, and 12.74% is categorized as a high risk zone. Moderate risk areas cover 23.08% of the total area. The risk map is validated by the landslides inventory. The outcomes can be used by the concerned authorities to take the necessary steps to reduce the impact of landslides.

Impact of cash assistance on food insecurity: a snapshot from Rohingya camps during COVID-19

ABSTRACT Collaborating with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), World Food Program (WFP), and NGOs, the Bangladesh Government implemented cash assistance programs for Rohingya refugee households facing exacerbated food insecurity because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the impact of a cash assistance program on alleviating the food insecurity experienced by Rohingya migrants during the pandemic. Additionally, this study explores potential variations of the impact of cash assistance with reference to vulnerability levels based on gender and income inequality. These findings indicate a significant reduction in food insecurity among Rohingya migrants who received cash assistance. However, further analysis reveals that cash assistance is not effective in ensuring the food security of comparatively more vulnerable households headed by women and households with no earning members. This policy implication underscores the need to restructure, redesign, and reconsider the features of cash assistance programs to enhance the welfare of refugee households across all levels of vulnerability.

Examining the Handling of Rohingya Refugees in Indonesia through the Lens of International Law and Maqāsid al-Shari’ah: An Exploration of Islamic Humanitarianism

Examining the Handling of Rohingya Refugees in Indonesia through the Lens of International Law and Maqāsid al-Shari’ah: An Exploration of Islamic Humanitarianism

The impact of humanitarian emergencies on adolescent boys: Findings from the Rohingya refugee crisis.

Adolescent boys (age 9-19) are impacted differently by humanitarian emergencies. However, academic research on adolescent health and child protection has tended to focus on the direct impacts of an emergency rather than indirect impacts that may arise after a crisis. We sought to identify child protection concerns affecting adolescent boys in emergency settings and boys who are more vulnerable to harm through a case study of the humanitarian response to the 2017 Rohingya refugee crisis. We collected data in the Rohingya refugee crisis in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh between 2018-2019. This included six months of participant observation, 23 semi-structured interviews and 12 informal ethnographic interviews with humanitarian staff working in the crisis, and 10 focus group discussions with a total of 52 child protection caseworkers from four child protection organisations. Our results showed that adolescent Rohingya boys were exposed to numerous protection concerns, including child labour, drug trafficking, substance abuse, family violence, and neglect. We classified these into three main typologies: community-related violence, income-related violence, and life-stage vulnerabilities. We found that adolescent boys who were unaccompanied or separated from their caregivers, adolescent boys who were members of vulnerable households, and adolescent boys with a disability were at more risk of harm. Our findings indicate that adolescent boys are exposed to an array of impactful child protection concerns in humanitarian emergencies and that this has implications for the delivery of public health and child protection interventions. We believe that humanitarian actors should improve recognition of the complexity of adolescent boys' lives and their exposure to gender and age-based harm as a critical matter for addressing adolescent health equity.

THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OF ROHINGYA REFUGEES IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH EFFECTIVE MECHANISMS: A SOCIO-LEGAL ANALYSIS

Bangladesh has been acting as a safe haven for the Rohingyas for the last four decades. They have taken shelter in Bangladesh from the persecution of the state and radical Buddhists from the neighboring country, Myanmar. 2,00,000 such Rohingya refugees came to Bangladesh in 1978. In the early 1990, another 50,000 arrived in Bangladesh because of the Myanmar military's anti-Rohingya campaign. Many of the Rohingyas who came to Bangladesh in these two phases went back to their home country, Myanmar, after spending days in various sufferings at different times. But many did not return. They are in Bangladesh. Bangladesh supports them. On August 25, 2017, the world witnessed a massive humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State, Myanmar. Uncountable people from the Rohingya community fled the violence in Rakhine State, their villages destroyed. It triggered an unprecedented influx of people crossing the border into neighboring Bangladesh. Within a few weeks, more than half a million people entered Bangladesh in search of safety and shelter. A severe humanitarian crisis was averted due to the generous support of the local Bangladeshi community and the multinational aid efforts led by the Government of Bangladesh. This large number of refugees is definitely a big burden for Bangladesh. At times, the government has to face various political pressures and security problems regarding these refugee camps. The government of Bangladesh is facing a multifaceted reality regarding these Rohingya refugees. Myanmar is reluctant to take these refugees back home. Considering the overall situation, it is very unlikely that Myanmar will take back the Rohingyas in the near future. I don't think Myanmar will take them back unless they are forced to. This problem is not going to be solved in a year or two. Myanmar's clamor for the return of refugees reinforces that belief. As mentioned at the outset, this problem for Bangladesh began four decades ago. It took almost four decades to solve this problem. However, due to the negative role of Myanmar for a long time, the problem has not been solved. In the context of Myanmar's negative role in taking back the Rohingya, it is said that the problem is long-term for Bangladesh. In 2017, Bangladesh had hoped to send back more Rohingyas this time. But in October that year, when the Rohingya did not stop coming to Bangladesh, Bangladesh initiated talks with Myanmar to send them back. Myanmar formed a joint working group in December after signing a memorandum of understanding with Bangladesh. The purpose was to coordinate the return of the Rohingyas to their state. Both sides committed to repatriate the Rohingyas to their state in a voluntary, safe and dignified manner. So far, however, no progress has been made. The two countries took the initiative to repatriate the Rohingyas in November 2018 and October 2019. Not a single Rohingya could be sent back to Myanmar through these two initiatives. Although they want to go back, the problem arises with the terms of return to their state. They want to say they will not go back to Myanmar unless the institutional discrimination against them is removed and the continuous persecution is stopped. Rohingya leaders set some preconditions for their return. These include officially recognizing that the Rohingya are a minority ethnic group in Myanmar; returning them to full citizenship; upholding the freedom of movement of the Rohingya community; and providing them with job opportunities in Rakhine State. They want a system where this is their last chance to become refugees. They don't want it to happen again. They want to return to Myanmar with full rights.

SHARIA LAW AND COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO ROHINGYA REFUGEES IN ACEH

In Aceh, the implementation of Sharia law plays a significant role not only in social and religious regulation but also in responses to humanitarian issues, such as the case of Rohingya refugees. This study aims to discuss how Sharia law influences the perceptions and actions of the Acehnese community towards Rohingya refugees. The study employs a literature review as the primary approach to gather and analyze existing data. Data were collected through systematic searches in prominent academic databases, online archives, and digital libraries. The search focused on reputable journals, books, government and NGO reports, as well as relevant news articles pertaining to this area of study. The findings of this study indicate that the implementation of Sharia law in Aceh significantly influences the community's response to the arrival of Rohingya refugees. Sharia law in Aceh functions not only as a legal framework but also as a social ethos that shapes humanitarian actions towards the refugees. Sharia law has reinforced humanitarian and solidarity values within the community, as evidenced by the warm reception given to the refugees. However, the study also finds that economic and political factors can modify and even diminish these positive responses over time. The study concludes that in the context of Rohingya refugees, while Sharia law plays a role in shaping positive social norms and behaviors among the Acehnese community, it sometimes fails to adapt or is insufficiently responsive to changing economic and political pressures. These pressures can alter community perceptions and responses to refugees in the long term. Therefore, the study concludes that the complex dynamics between Sharia law and socio-economic conditions in the context of refugees are critical aspects that policymakers and humanitarian practitioners need to address.

Exploring International Legal Challenges For Unhcr In Dealing With Rohingya Refugees In Aceh, Indonesia

The difficulties the UNHCR has managing Rohingya refugees in Indonesia are the main topic of this article. This article focuses on the challenges faced by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in managing Rohingya refugees in Indonesia. As the primary international agency tasked with refugee management globally, the UNHCR plays a crucial role in preventing statelessness, determining refugee status, and providing comprehensive remedies. However, the study reveals that despite receiving approval from the Indonesian government to operate, the UNHCR encounters difficulties in fulfilling its mandate to assist Indonesia's ethnic Rohingya refugees. This limitation is attributed to the escalating number of asylum seekers in Indonesia requiring aid. The research utilizes content analysis to delve into UNHCR's struggles with Rohingya refugees, gathering and analyzing various sources such as reports, studies, news, and policies related to Rohingya refugees in Aceh. Through this method, the study uncovers patterns and challenges encountered by the UNHCR, including managing crises and navigating international and local cooperation. Ultimately, this research provides a detailed understanding of the complexities surrounding the Rohingya refugee crisis in Aceh.

Analyzing the effectiveness of the interagency coordination on environmental risk communication to the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

AbstractRefugees often face structural inequities, a disproportionate share of environmental challenges, and receive inadequate risk information. In most cases, the host country, United Nations, and other humanitarian organizations provide critical weather and climate information and disaster risk management support. This is equally true for the Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh, who fled their home country Myanmar as a response to political violence. To provide critical humanitarian services to the Rohingya population, the in‐country United Nations agencies formed the Inter‐Sector Coordination Group (ISCG). This paper investigates the effectiveness of the ISCG's strategies for communicating monsoon risks in the Rohingya context. Particularly, it measures ISCG communication effectiveness by both the increased formalization of ISCG communication and the number of Rohingya refugees affected during the monsoon seasons in the years 2021–2022. The paper highlights the importance of the ISCG's existence in this humanitarian context as an effective coordinating institution. The ISCG provides impoartant environmental risk information to partner organizations that benefit the Rohingya's overall physical well‐being. Even though the geographical focus of this paper is on the Rohingya populations in Cox's Bazar, the discussions and findings have important policy implications in other parts of the world facing similar social, environmental, political, and humanitarian challenges.