Health and Human Rights
Volume 20, Issue 2, 2018, Pages 105-122

The Rohingya in cox’s bazar: When the stateless seek refuge (Article)

Bhatia A. , Mahmud A. , Fuller A. , Shin R. , Rahman A. , Shatil T. , Sultana M. , Morshed K.A.M. , Leaning J. , Balsari S.*
  • a François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
  • b Center for Communicable Disease Dynamis, Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
  • c François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
  • d François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
  • e BRAC, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • f BRAC, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • g BRAC, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • h BRAC, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • i Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
  • j François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

The Rohingya people of Myanmar have been subject to human rights violations through government-sponsored discrimination and violence. Since August 2017, an intensified assault by Myanmar authorities has resulted in a rapid increase of Rohingya pouring into Bangladesh, and the expansion of refugee settlements in the district of Cox’s Bazar has strained humanitarian and government relief efforts. Assessing Rohingya and host community needs is critical for prioritizing resource allocations and for documenting the rights violations suffered by Rohingya refugees. From March 15 to 18, 2018, we conducted a rapid needs assessment of recently arrived Rohingya and host community households. We collected data on demographics, mortality, education, livelihoods, access to food and water, vaccination, and health care. Among other things, our survey found high levels of mortality among young Rohingya men, alarmingly low levels of vaccination among children, poor literacy, and rising poverty. Denied formal refugee status, the Rohingya cannot access due protections and find themselves in a state of insecurity in which they are unsure of their future and unable to formally seek work or send their children to school. While the government of Bangladesh explores the options of repatriation, relocation, and third-country resettlement for these refugees, it is important to ensure that they are not denied a life of dignity. © 2018 Bhatia, Mahmud, Fuller, Shin, Rahman, Shatil, Sultana, Morshed, Leaning, and Balsari.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population refugee poverty political violence human Refugees statistics and numerical data health service ethnic group Cox's Bazar Chittagong [Bangladesh] ethnology Health Services Needs and Demand human rights Young Adult Humans racism prioritization male female Myanmar adult state role Bangladesh Health Services Accessibility health care delivery humanitarian aid
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85058902590&partnerID=40&md5=01704b5077c4056a1725f621e6288040
ISSN: 10790969
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English