Starting from repeated fires in the camps, the article argues that relocation alone cannot resolve the insecurity of refugee life. It calls for safer living conditions, transparent use of aid, education, livelihoods and stronger fire prevention.
Its focus broadens the question of permanence: how people live while displaced matters alongside where they might eventually settle. Compared with the thesis’s discussion of Bhasan Char, this essay places greater weight on improving conditions where refugees already live.
Read the recovered May 2023 draft
Earlier author draft, last modified 13 May 2023. This is not a verified copy of the 5 June published edition. Original wording, references and historical claims are retained, including unresolved or provisional statements in the fire table.
Between Flames and the Future: Addressing the Rohingya Refugee Crisis
Seeking Sustainable Solutions for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh
Author: Safen Roy
The Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh have been witnessing a frightening surge of fires, with each one leaving another scar on the community. These recurring tragedies have not only caused substantial damage to the makeshift shelters but have also impacted the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of Rohingya refugees.
One such incident occurred on 24 April 2023 at the Chakmarkul Rohingya Camp in Teknaf of Cox's Bazar, leaving 239 people grappling with its aftermath (Relief Web). This, unfortunately, is not an isolated incident but one among a series of fires that have become a distressingly regular occurrence within the camps. With fires breaking out with such alarming frequency, the urgency to find sustainable solutions for the Rohingya refugees has become imperative.
The devastation experienced by the Rohingya community is unprecedented. Just to put things into perspective, let's take a brief look at the reported fires in the camps in recent times:
Date of Fire | Damage | Deaths | Cause of Fire | Reference |
12 May 2020 | More than 300 houses and shops were destroyed, and six injured | No casualties reported | Possibly started from a gas stove used by Rohingyas | |
2 January 2022 | 16 cabins of UN-run hospital burnt | No casualties reported | Unknown | |
9 January 2022 | 1,200 shanties burnt, spread to B and C blocks | Unknown | Started from a gas stove | |
5 March 2023 | At least 2,000 houses,, health and education facilities, water networks, and other key infrastructures | Still Unknown | Sabotage by Rohingya terrorist groups | |
8 March 2023 | Still Unknown | Still Unknown | Unknown |
According to a report by the Bangladesh defense ministry, from January 2021 to December 2022, there were 222 fire incidents, including 60 cases of arson in the camps (BBC March 2023).
Additionally, gas leakages have emerged as another looming threat, further escalating the dangers faced by the Rohingya living in these makeshift shelters.
The Rohingya have resided in these camps for almost six years, and with each passing day, the need for safer and more sustainable living conditions grows increasingly urgent. While international efforts are being made to relocate the refugees to safer locations, we must reflect on how we can improve their conditions right where they are. The question, then, is not just about providing immediate relief but about envisioning a future where the refugees are not just surviving but thriving.
It is clear that a more long-term, sustainable solution needs to be devised to improve the living conditions and safety of the Rohingya refugees. Transparency in aid distribution and its effective use are key elements in the path towards betterment.
Merely relocating the Rohingya to different parts of the country might not be the optimal solution, as it overlooks their fundamental human rights to live peacefully and securely. A more viable alternative could be assimilation into the host society.
Through collaborative efforts between the government and NGOs, education and vocational training could be provided to the Rohingya, empowering them to contribute to the economy and society while reducing their dependence on aid. Just a month ago, the US provided an $23.8m for Rohingya refugee food aid (Link)
Unfortunately, the repatriation of the Rohingya refugees might not be a feasible option, given the circumstances. They have already been in the camps since 2017 with little done. The need of the hour is to devise a long-term solution for their integration into the host society, and assimilation seems to be a more sustainable answer than repatriation.
The NGOs and international bodies need to join hands in providing necessities, education, and vocational training while ensuring transparent and effective aid use. Only through such coordinated efforts can we offer the Rohingya people a chance to live peacefully and free from chaos. This shift from mere survival to the possibility of thriving would not just alleviate their current conditions.
Fires are boundaryless, with the potential to surge unpredictably, causing immense destruction. They threaten not only the lives and homes of the inhabitants of Cox's Bazar and the Rohingya refugees but also pose a significant risk to the surrounding environment.
Therefore, it is imperative to establish comprehensive fire prevention and response systems, to safeguard both the human and natural ecosystems in and around the refugee camps. This includes bolstering early warning systems, investing in fire-fighting infrastructure, and promoting education and awareness among the camp's residents regarding fire safety practices.
Through such collective and proactive measures, we can minimize the risk and impact of these devastating fires, ensuring a safer and more sustainable future for all residents and the precious environment that cradles them.
Safen Roy is a writer interested in refugee migration and the assimilation of Rohingya in Bangladesh. He also explores the role of social media in society and regional connectivity in Asia.