Lt Col Nazmul Huda Khan :
For millions of years, mankind has been on the move. Some people have moved proactively in search of new opportunities, new horizons or conquest. Others have moved reactively away from conflict, human rights violations, poverty or repression. According to UNHCR, today a combination of push and pull factors have resulted in approximately 230 million migrants, out of which 100 million have been in reactive domain generally termed as refugee. To honour the strength and courage of refugees and encourage public awareness and support of the refugees who have fled the conflict and persecution of their country in hope of finding sanctuary and living a better life; World Refugee Day is celebrated on 20 June since 2001. This year, the focus is on the right to seek safety. Every person on this planet has a right to seek safety – whoever they are, wherever they come from and whenever they are forced to flee. The theme of World Refugee Day 2022 is “Whoever, Wherever, Whenever, Everyone has the right to seek safety”.
Bangladesh is currently hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas at Kutupalang and Balukhali camps of Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Most of them fled to this country since August 25, 2017, when the Myanmar military launched a widespread persecution targeting the Muslim ethnic minorities. All most all of the Forcibly Displaced Rohingyas have arrived injured and deeply traumatised by their experiences, with just the clothes on their backs. They needed food, clean water and shelter to survive, above all they needed to feel safe. The dire threat of this further humanitarian crisis was averted due to generous support of Government of Bangladesh, local Bangladeshi communities and a multi-national aid effort. In spite of facing mounting pressure to devise a realistic strategy for managing this large forcibly displaced personnel flow with a population of approximately 17 million, Bangladesh has shown the esteemed empathetic support for the sake of humanity. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh has been truly honorific by the designation “Daughter of Humanity”.
The situation has created enormous humanitarian needs in an area of Bangladesh already affected by earlier influxes since the 1990s and a lack of capacity to cope with a large number of new arrivals. The two existing refugee camps are overflowing with more than triple the previous population now and well beyond capacity. At this situation nearly 28,000 Rohingyas have so far been relocated to Bhasan Char, an island near Hatia, dedicated to host some 100,000 people.
Numerous pre- and post-displacement factors have substantial impact on their life and health throughout their process of resettlement. But these displaced people are with strong determination to survive; so the international community should look for the capacity to survive and cope and try to help build up this positive element.
In this context, to reveal Rohingya’s satisfaction and safety in Bangladesh, we have conducted a research amongst them to assess the state of post displacement related factors with an aim to help such displaced and distressed population to have to be active enough to contain the adverse situation.
This research was conducted through face to face interview with 248 Rohingyas from Kutupalang and Balukhali camp by using international validated questionnaire in this regard. The age of the respondents was between 20-82 years of both female (51pc) and male (49pc) of whom majority (80pc) were found illiterate, 66pc of them had monthly family income less than Tk. 5000/ in Myanmar.
Regarding their satisfaction and safety in Bangladesh, we have assessed the level of satisfaction regarding their toilets facility, access to clean water, availability of food at camp, availability of clothes and blankets, access to health care, safety or protection for women in camp and behaviour of local Bangladeshis. As many as 77.8pc Rohingyas were satisfied with the existing toilet facility at camp; 77.6pc were satisfied with the availability of safe water at camp; 88.7pc respondents expressed satisfaction with the availability of food, 99.8pc were satisfied with the clothing and blanket provided to them; 100pc were satisfied with the health services at camp and safety or protection state for women in camp; while 99.6pc were satisfied with the behaviour of local Bangladeshi.
Contrary to this, the scenario among the refugees in Papua New Guinea showed the different picture. By far the majority (91.7pc) endorsed that they were having dissatisfaction at least one listed item above. The most highly endorsed items were concerns about the use of illicit substances in the community (91.7pc); safety and protection for women from violence (89.6pc); lack of legal rights and citizenship (88.3pc); lack of proper shelter or housing (85.2pc); lack of access to basic facilities (85.2pc); general safety in the community (85.2pc); limited assistance from government organisations and international agencies (85.2pc)and prolonged displacement (82.6pc).
It is for sure that, due to continuous empathetic effort of the Government and other organisation, huge number of influx had been managed in a synchronising manner with in a stipulated schedule. About eighty seven Government, NGOs, private national and international organisations were putting their relentless effort for elevating their basic facilities. Cumulating effect is the pleasing state mentioned above.
The government of Bangladesh has taken on an immense challenge in hosting these Rohingya refugees over the years. We deserve great credit for this effort. But, we cannot be alone in shouldering responsibility for the Rohingya. International community must come forward both to address the immediate coup-driven crisis and for a longer-term solution for Rohingya. Bangladesh seeks safe, sustainable and dignified return of these displaced people. The evidences of this research can be utilised to strengthen support services to the Rohingyas and enhance international intervention for their repatriation.
(Lt Col Nazmul Huda Khan, MBBS, MPH, MPhil is Public Health Specialist and Assistant Director, Kurmitola General Hospital).
