The life of the Rohingya people is shattered and will never be the same again. Looted, tortured, killed and kicked out of their country, living in camps with no proper aids and education, these people have gone through a lot. Most people just hear or read about them and feel sorry. When will people realize that we are the ones who have to help and fix this! We are the ones who have to raise our voices until we are heard.
Starting in 2017 many Rohingyas fled from their country due to injustice. They fled in hopes of a better life. What caused the Rohingya crisis? Why did they leave their country?
The Rohingyas were facing violence like rapes, tortures,murders, and were being discriminated against based on their color, culture, race and religion. Their government was not taking any action, so the violence and discrimination kept growing, it has been around 3 years since it started!
More than 1,000,000 people have fled, nearly half of them are children. Around 860,000 Rohingyas live in the world’s largest and most densely populated refugee camp in southern Bangladesh. Five or more family members have to live in a cramped up, small room that is around 10-16 feet. To use water for washing, cooking, and bathing they must wait in a line. During monsoon season the shelters are at risk of floods and landslides which make their living conditions even worse. Respiratory infections are common among children and adults as Southern Bangladesh has hot and humid weather as well as frequent windblown dust.
Refugees receive monthly food rations that include rice, lentils, and oil from the World Food Programme as well as local NGO’s in Bangladesh. They usually eat the same food every day. About half of the population now receives gift vouchers to buy meat and other food.
Almost half a million Rohingya children, growing up in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, are at the risk of becoming a lost generation without access to basic human needs.
In the wake of the corona pandemic, public awareness campaigns are being held and are spreading awareness of social distancing, hand washing, and other health measures at the refugee camps.
We as individuals and as a community need to come together and help these refugees by not just funding but also by raising awareness of their plight on global platforms.
I collected opinions and suggestions from various people around me to get a general idea of how people view this situation.
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Kiran Kardar, works at United Nations (NY)
What do you think about the plight of the Rohingya refugees?
Their plight is very unfortunate. It’s heart wrenching to see how they are robbed of basic human rights and dignities. It has been years since they have been refugees. Now it’s time for Bangladesh to accept them as citizens. Most of them are rightfully Bangladeshi citizens or 2nd generation as they were living in Myanmar escaping poverty in their own home country Bangladesh. It’s time to accept them back not as refugees but as their own people.
How is the Rohingya crisis affecting Bangladesh?
Financially and infrastructure wise the country is being affected a lot. But if the Rohingya refugees are allowed to work freely in Bangladesh they will only contribute towards the GDP and growth of the country and be less a burden on the economy.
What can we do as an individual/organization to help them?
As individuals we should be mindful and understanding of their suffering and displacement. We should show compassion and create awareness and contribute money where possible to help them. As an organization we can assist them in getting jobs and rehabilitation.
What should our government do about this situation?
Implement minimum wage if they fear the Rohingya refugees will imbalance the daily wages. Allow refugees to work and freely live in Bangladesh. Reallocate funds being spent on camps towards rehabilitation.
What should the Burmese government do about this situation?
If the Burmese govt was doing right by these people you wouldn’t be conducting this interview, sadly. The Burmese govt. should treat the Rohingya people as Burmese citizens, accept accountability of condoning violence and atrocities committed by their militia and give the Rohingya people basic human rights if not constitutional rights. The government should have a dialogue with their military and Rohingyas’.
What steps should the international community take in this situation?
The international community should continue to expose the human rights violations and play their role in bringing these atrocities to the United Nations. Spreading awareness among your own communities is equally important. We must not forget or ignore the sufferings of others. It is our responsibility as a citizen of this world to use our words and actions to give voice and support to those who need most
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Sabeen Aamer, Director BSRM
What do you think about the plight of the Rohingya refugees?
What has happened to Rohingya is a global tragedy. They have been forced out of their homes and land by an oppressive government and have no place to live. It’s not only that they have to leave their homes but also, they have to escape in a manner that puts their lives at risk. Many of them die during the journey. And for those who live their future is uncertain. They will forever be considered as refugees with no homes and no rights for themselves and their children
How is the Rohingya crisis affecting Bangladesh?
Bangladesh has taken in thousands of Rohingya but it’s hard for the government to give them land and space. It’s hard to provide education for them or ensure health care. Having so many refugees in the country creates uncertainty for the population and it also results in greater unemployment, financial burden and insecurity.
What can we do as an individual/organization to help them?
As individuals we can contribute by giving charity to the organizations that are supporting the refugee camps. We can also support by spreading awareness about the issue.
What should our government do about this situation?
The government needs to come up with long term strategies to integrate the refugees within the mainstream Population. The basic human rights of these refugees should be assured. They should get the right to get a job, get education and health care.
What should the Burmese government do about this situation?
The Burmese government needs to stop persecuting these people and provide them protection within their homeland. They should accept the diversity in their population and not discriminate on the basis of religion and ethnicity.
What steps should the international community take in this situation?
The international community should bring down sanctions on Burma for allowing such blatant attacks on human rights. The international community should make it hard for Burma to continue this mass eradication of people from their population.
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Insiyah Zohair, Head of Key stage of Frobel Academy
What do you think about the plight of the Rohingya refugees?
I think it is extremely saddening that in our world, in our times something so unfortunate has occurred. At the same time, I also think it has served the purpose of bringing people together, where organizations, countries and the people all around the globe have found one purpose, one cause to unite them. It has showed us that there are people who care and have given organizations and people the opportunity to do good.
How is the Rohingya crisis affecting Bangladesh?
I am proud of Bangladesh for giving Rohingya refugees a place to live. A country like Bangladesh already has a surplus of population who goes hungry on the daily, to still be willing to share resources and welcome strangers so selflessly, displays the hospitality culture Bangladeshis are known for very well.
It is affecting Bangladesh in both good and not so good ways. Positives will include, it has brought in diversity to our population, it has made room for expats to find home in Bangladesh as well as international NGO’s are now operating in Bangladesh. It has created a lot of jobs as well. Negatives may include – the sharing of already scarce resources, unavailability of enough jobs, the stigma, loss of their own culture and place.
What can we do as an individual/organization to help them?
We can of course raise money, send in food donations, but even small things such as raising awareness, starting conversations about them, spreading knowledge about their culture , trying to change the stigma that surrounds all of these are wonderful things we can all do from our home to help.
What should our government do about this situation?
The government has already helped them by giving them a space to live, but I believe the government should work around facilitating their stay here. How are we working as a country to help them blend and connect with Bangladesh as a country? How are we actively developing our economy keeping them in mind? We must actively work for better integration of Rohingyas in the country.
What should the Burmese government do about this situation?
They need to re-look at their policies, they need to reflect and have very hard conversations about how they as a country have let this happen. They need to work towards building and creating an environment where Rohingyas can come back and feel safe. They need to find ways to co-exist and have deep meaningful conversations on accepting diversity and differences. It also starts with including character development and socio emotional learning in their education system.
What steps should the international community take in this situation?
The international community should voice their concerns, offer their expertise, donate and spread awareness about this situation.
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Different people has different viewpoints. My overall opinion about the Rohingya crisis is that the Rohingyas deserve to have a good life and not be discriminated against and driven out of their homes.
- Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Rohingya_refugee_crisis
- https://www.worldvision.org/refugees-news-stories/rohingya-refugees-bangladesh-facts#
- https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/rohingya-crisis
- https://www.amnesty.org/en/get-involved/take-action/empower-rohingya-children-with-education/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlvT8BRDeARIsAACRFiUanH2MfVOIkybwdksvxrYHMe9uShrdnYRnA4IvTtPxot-ls7Xyr4caAgYJEALw_wcB
