At present, the Rohingya refugee children are suffering harsh conditions in camps in the country’s southeastern bordering district Cox’s Bazar. Since August 25, nearly 800,000 Rohingya have poured across the border to Bangladesh; of them 720,000 [60%] are children. The new comers have joined 500,000 others who had come in the previous influxes. Now, 21 per cent of children under five years of age are suffering from malnutrition.
The Prime Minister’s Office earlier had issued 20 directives regarding the Rohingya –one of them was to run a survey on orphan children. In line with the directive, the Social Services Department under Social Welfare Ministry in September last year identified nearly 36,373 Rohingya children as orphans conducting a survey in the previous three months. The Ministry had decided to give them special protection.
As per newspaper report, a project of Tk 17.22 crore has been taken to give financial support to around 9,000 orphan children. Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner said they were further cross-checking the survey results and the verification process would start on January 27.
Presently, the government with the support of UNICEF, World Health Organization and GAVI [the vaccine alliance] has launched a vaccination campaign for 255 000 Rohingya children aged 6 weeks to 6 years living in 12 temporary camps in Cox’s Bazar to check the outbreak of diphtheria.
No doubt, it is the parentless children who are the most vulnerable. They are vulnerable to diseases, they are vulnerable to trafficking, and they are vulnerable to sexual exploitation. This is a humanitarian crisis and for each child it is a catastrophe. It’s a good news that, the Rohingya orphans are living with their close relatives. Apart from education, several schemes have also been taken for building their physical and mental health. Quoting statement of Cox’s Bazar DC, the report also said the ‘support scheme’ could be extended, if the Rohingya repatriation is delayed.
It is not possible for Bangladesh to bear the burden of 1.2 million refugees along with 60 per cent children for an indefinite period. It will also not be wise for us to nourish an entire population of another country, even if we have the capability. Here, the international community will also have to come forward to ensure a safe return of Rohingya to their homeland.
In fact, the Rohingya children, particularly the orphans, are now facing an uncertain future. So, we think there are more things to do must. The ongoing violence in the Rakhine State of Myanmar has stolen their childhoods. Along with other humanitarian supports, the children also need a bright future, a hope for the coming days. The entire South Asia region will have to face the dire consequences for many years, if the Rohingya children issue is not treated carefully.
