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Arab News
3 days ago
- General
- Arab News
For Rohingya mothers, Eid marks rare chance to serve meat for family
DHAKA: As she prepared for Eid Al-Adha celebrations on Saturday, Nikash Tara could not recall the last time she served a proper meal for her family. In the cramped camps of Cox's Bazar, a nutritious meal was a near-impossible treat available only during special occasions and solely dependent on charitable contributions. Most days, Rohingya refugee mothers like Tara could only rely on food rations, which have been slashed in recent years due to insufficient funding. 'It was probably during Eid Al-Fitr when we last had a truly nutritious meal … We survive on the food rations, which are not enough now. Sometimes, I skip meals so that my children can eat,' Tara told Arab News. 'We get rice, lentils, and oil, but no vegetables, no milk. It's hard to call it a 'meal,' let alone nutritious.' Eid Al-Adha, known as the 'Feast of Sacrifice' and one of the two most important holidays for Muslims, is the first time this year that the mother of three gets to serve meat for her family. Eid Al-Adha commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim's test of faith when he was commanded by God to sacrifice his son. To reflect his readiness to do so, Muslims around the world slaughter an animal, usually a goat, sheep or cow, and distribute the meat among relatives and the poor. 'On the occasion of Eid, we received a small portion of meat … I prepared a curry with potato and the meat I received. Although it's not much in quantity, it made the children happy, as it is a chance to have a meal with beef for the first time this year,' Tara said. 'It hurts me as a mother. My heart breaks when my children get excited over a single good meal. It reminds me how little they get on normal days. Eid should be joyful, but I cry inside, knowing my children are being deprived every other day of the year. I feel helpless.' Mizanur Rahman, refugee relief and repatriation commissioner in Cox's Bazar, said this year the camps received 1,800 cattle and 350 goats for Eid sacrifice, donated by various Muslim and local nongovernmental organizations. 'In addition to that, different organizations and philanthropists promised to deliver 50,000 kg of fresh meat to be distributed on the day of Eid Al-Adha,' Rahman told Arab News. The donations will help Bangladeshi authorities to 'reach many of the Rohingya families … (and) offer them a feast on the occasion of Eid,' he added. Bangladesh hosts about 1.3 million Rohingya Muslims, who, for decades, have fled neighboring Myanmar to escape persecution, especially during a military crackdown in 2017 that the UN has been referring to as a 'textbook case' of ethnic cleansing. The majority of them now live in Cox's Bazar in eastern Bangladesh, which has become the world's largest refugee settlement. Over the years, humanitarian conditions in the squalid camps have been deteriorating, with aid continuously declining since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rohingya also have limited access to job opportunities and education. With nobody able to earn a living, Mariam Khatun's family was among those entirely dependent on food aid. 'With little food aid and in a life with no earning opportunity, for my children, a decent meal is something unimaginable,' Khatun told Arab News. Though Eid was a joyful occasion, she said it was 'painful that joy comes only once or twice a year. 'It breaks my heart when the children look at the meat and ask: 'Will we eat this again tomorrow?' I have no answer.' Before fleeing her village in Myanmar, the 29-year-old mother of two used to prepare spicy beef curry, her children's favorite, frying the meat until it was crispy. 'But here, I barely have them. We rely fully on the food rations, but the amount has been cut so much. It's not enough for a full month,' she said. 'Maybe only on this Eid, we got a little meat. That's the only time this year my children got something with some nutrition. We're not living; we're just trying not to starve.'
Al Bawaba
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Al Bawaba
Rains ruin more than 1,400 Rohingya homes in Bangladesh
DHAKA, Bangladesh Heavy monsoon rains in Cox's Bazar on Bangladesh's southeastern coast have damaged over 1,400 Rohingya homes. In just two days, 53 landslides were reported across 33 refugee camps. One refugee was killed as a wall collapsed, while lightning strikes reportedly injured 11, the UNHCR said late Monday. The heavy monsoon rains 'highlight once again the critical needs of Rohingya refugees,' it added. More than 1.3 million Rohingya are seeking refuge in Cox's Bazar district. The majority arrived following a crackdown by Myanmar's military in 2017. 'Steep slopes, floods and makeshift shelters make a dangerous mix in such a densely populated place, while strong winds risk further weakening shelters made of bamboo and tarpaulin,' said Juliet Murekeyisoni, the interim UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh. Thousands of newly arrived Rohingya fleeing targeted violence and persecution in Myanmar's Rakhine State have further shrunk the already overcrowded space, said UNHCR. A critical funding shortfall also threatens the ability of humanitarian actors to meet urgent needs and fully implement the required preparatory actions, it added. 'Preparing for these disasters is not just essential – it is lifesaving,' said Gwyn Lewis, UN Resident Coordinator, from the Cox's Bazar camps. Monsoon preparedness usually starts before May, but partners could not take this measure because of the shortfall. This year, the UN's Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya refugee situation sought $934.5 million to assist Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, but only 20% of the requested funds were received.
Arab News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Rohingya refugees at the mercy of climate change
The Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority from Myanmar, face an escalating crisis in Bangladesh's overcrowded refugee camps. More than a million Rohingya have fled genocide and violence in Rakhine State since 2017, seeking refuge in Cox's Bazar, where they live in sprawling, makeshift settlements. These camps, among the most densely populated spaces on earth, are increasingly vulnerable to climate change. Cyclones, floods and earthquakes threaten the region, while rising sea levels shrink Bangladesh's landmass. Without urgent international investment in disaster preparedness, infrastructure and early warning systems — and without successful repatriation — the Rohingya will be among the first and most devastated victims of climate vulnerability. Bangladesh, one of the world's most densely populated countries, is on the front lines of climate change. Its low-lying delta geography makes it acutely susceptible to natural disasters. In recent years, the frequency and intensity of cyclones have increased, with storms like Cyclone Amphan (2020) and Cyclone Mora (2017) causing widespread destruction in Cox's Bazar. Flooding, triggered by monsoon rains and rising sea levels, is a recurring threat. The 2024 monsoon season alone displaced thousands in the camps, with flimsy shelters unable to withstand heavy rains. Adding to the peril, the region lies near tectonic fault lines, with recent earthquakes in the Bay of Bengal signaling growing seismic risks. For the Rohingya, living in bamboo and tarpaulin shelters on steep, deforested hillsides, these hazards are life-threatening. The camps, home to more than 1.2 million people, are a humanitarian catastrophe waiting to worsen. Designed as temporary shelters, they lack the infrastructure to endure extreme weather. Narrow, muddy pathways become impassable during floods. Poor drainage systems exacerbate waterlogging, breeding disease in overcrowded conditions. Landslides, triggered by heavy rains, have already claimed lives. In 2023, a fire exacerbated by dry conditions and strong winds razed parts of Kutupalong camp, displacing thousands. These disasters expose the camps' fragility, where even moderate climate events can cause disproportionate harm. Rising sea levels compound the crisis. Bangladesh loses approximately 1 percent of its landmass annually to erosion and inundation, with coastal areas like Cox's Bazar particularly at risk. By 2050, experts estimate that 17 percent of Bangladesh's land could be submerged, displacing millions, including the Rohingya. For a community already confined to shrinking, flood-prone land, this is a death sentence unless drastic measures are taken. The climate crisis disproportionately harms vulnerable populations like the Rohingya, who contribute negligibly to global emissions. Dr. Azeem Ibrahim Repatriation to Myanmar remains the preferred long-term solution, but prospects are bleak. Myanmar's junta, responsible for the Rohingya's expulsion, shows no willingness to ensure safe returns. Political instability following the 2021 coup has further dimmed hopes. Two failed repatriation attempts in 2018 and 2019, boycotted by the Rohingya due to fears of continued persecution, underscore the challenge. Without a viable path to return, the Rohingya remain trapped in camps ill-equipped for the climate realities of the 21st century. Bangladesh, despite its generosity in hosting the Rohingya, cannot address this crisis alone. The country faces its own climate adaptation challenges, with a gross domestic product per capita of just $2,800 and a population of 170 million. Resources are stretched thin. The government has invested in some camp improvements, such as concrete drainage channels and cyclone shelters, but these are insufficient for the scale of the threat. With 30,000 children born in the camps annually, the Rohingya population continues to grow. By 2030, the camps could house 1.5 million people, making the need for robust infrastructure urgent. International support has been inadequate. In 2024, the UN's Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya was only 37 percent funded, leaving critical gaps in food, healthcare and shelter. Disaster preparedness receives even less attention. Early warning systems, which could save lives by alerting residents to impending cyclones or floods, are rudimentary. Many Rohingya lack access to mobile networks or radios, while language barriers hinder communication. Infrastructure upgrades — elevated shelters, reinforced roads and reforestation to prevent landslides — require billions of dollars, far beyond Bangladesh's capacity. The international community must act swiftly. First, funding must prioritize climate-resilient infrastructure. Elevated, durable shelters can withstand floods and winds. Improved drainage and sanitation systems can mitigate disease outbreaks. Reforestation efforts can stabilize hillsides against landslides. Second, early warning systems must be expanded. Solar-powered radios, multilingual alerts and community-based disaster training can empower Rohingya to respond to threats. Third, renewable energy solutions, like solar microgrids, can reduce reliance on firewood, curbing deforestation and fire risks. These measures, while costly, are far cheaper than the human and economic toll of inaction. Global powers, particularly wealthy nations with high carbon emissions, bear a moral responsibility. The climate crisis disproportionately harms vulnerable populations like the Rohingya, who contribute negligibly to global emissions. The US, EU and other G20 nations must lead funding efforts, not only through humanitarian aid but also through climate adaptation grants. Regional players, including India and China, should support diplomatic efforts to pressure Myanmar for safe repatriation while contributing to camp resilience. The Rohingya crisis is a litmus test for global solidarity. If the world fails to act, the camps will become death traps, with cyclones, floods and earthquakes claiming countless lives. The Rohingya, already victims of genocide, will face a second injustice as climate refugees in a land not their own. But with concerted international action — combining repatriation advocacy with massive investment in disaster preparedness — their suffering can be mitigated. The clock is ticking. The world must decide whether to let the Rohingya become climate change's first high-profile casualty or to act with the urgency the situation demands.
Al Jazeera
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Jazeera
Rohingya refugee artists fighting to keep their story alive
In Cox's Bazar, the world's largest refugee camp, three Rohingya artists are defying cultural erasure. Through painting, music, and photography, they preserve the memory of a people long persecuted in Myanmar. This Talk to Al Jazeera special looks beyond the headlines of displacement and genocide investigations into the creative resistance of a stateless community. As Myanmar continues to deny them recognition, these artists are fighting back with colour, sound, and story, refusing to let their heritage disappear.
Malay Mail
24-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Deadliest Rohingya sea tragedy this year tied to aid shortfall, UN says
GENEVA, May 25 — Dire humanitarian conditions in Myanmar and Bangladesh are driving more Rohingya to risk dangerous boat journeys to safety, such as one this month that ended in a sinking and estimates of 427 deaths, the UN refugee agency said on Friday. The minority community's plight might have been worsened by aid funding cuts, the agency added. The humanitarian sector has been roiled by funding reductions from major donors, led by the US under President Donald Trump, and other Western countries as they prioritise defence spending prompted by growing fears of Russia and China. Two boats carrying some 514 Rohingya sank on May 9 and 10, carrying refugees who were thought to have left from refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, and Rakhine State in Myanmar. Only 87 survivors were found, UNHCR said. The possible deaths of 427 people would make it the deadliest tragedy at sea involving Rohingya refugees so far this year, according to the agency. That people chose to board boats during the annual monsoon season, which brings dangers such as strong winds and rough seas, reflected their desperation, the agency added. 'The dire humanitarian situation, exacerbated by funding cuts, is having a devastating impact on the lives of Rohingya, with more and more resorting to dangerous journeys to seek safety, protection and a dignified life for themselves and their families,' said Hai Kyung Jun, Director of UNHCR's Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. 'The latest tragedy is a chilling reminder that access to meaningful protection, especially in countries of first asylum, as well as responsibility sharing and collective efforts along sea routes, are essential to saving lives,' Kyung Jun added. The agency urged more financial support to stabilise the lives of Rohingya refugees in host countries including Bangladesh, and those displaced inside Myanmar. Its request for US$383.1 million (RM1.6 billion) for support in 2025 is currently only 30 per cent funded, it said. UNHCR received over US$2 billion in donations from the United States in 2024, or 40 per cent of its total donations. A UNHCR spokesperson said that in March it had frozen more than US$300 million of planned activities as part of cost-saving. — AFP
