One year on, unanswered questions for Rohingya refugees

20 August 2018

One of the lead aid agencies responding to the massive humanitarian crisis of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar, has raised concerns over their plight, on the anniversary of their escape from violence in Myanmar.

Bishop Gervas Rozario, Head of Caritas Bangladesh, says that the fate of the Rohingya refugees remains in limbo, as fundamental questions still need answering in order to start the process of bringing about a solution to the crisis. He calls on the leadership in both countries to do more:

“Though bilateral talks between the Myanmar and Bangladesh governments have ended in ‘positive commitments’ to find solutions, politicians return to their respective countries and there is next to no follow-through. People live precariously on the hillsides around Cox’s Bazar, wondering what their fate is to be,” he told UK aid agency CAFOD.

Rozario commented that the Church in Bangladesh and Myanmar are playing their roles in keeping an open dialogue to find a solution to the crisis.  

“The Myanmar and Bangladeshi Catholic Bishops are doing all they can to bring about sincere and honest solutions to the crisis. We know all too well how hard that is: it is a matter of keeping windows open and keeping hope alive. Hope is a small word that carries great responsibility.”

Today, the UN estimates that since August 2017 more than 700,000 Rohingya are now crammed into the southern town of Cox’s Bazar, an area the size of Crosby in Liverpool. Up to eighty per cent of the refugees who have arrived are women and children.

Despite the very difficult and cramped conditions in the camps, many Rohingya refugees have said they would prefer to stay than risk their lives returning.

“This crisis is complex, with ramifications beyond our immediate emergency response. If the protocols and principles of a safe and dignified return are agreed, for example, and Rohingya families choose to go, will there be education and health services? Will their homes be rebuilt? And what about the many children born in Bangladesh – what will be their status?” Said Rozario.

Many Rohingya families arrived in Bangladesh traumatised by the violence they’ve experienced or witnessed, bringing nothing more than what they were able to carry, or the clothes they were wearing. Caritas Bangladesh, the national Catholic aid agency, is second only to the national government among local providers of humanitarian aid to the Rohingya refugees.

“We have worked with camp communities to prepare them, their shelters and the surrounding areas, for the monsoon rains which are underway.

“Thanks to the support of the Caritas aid network around the world, the network’s technical expertise and aid delivery is helping us get the basics of daily life – food, water, shelter – to vulnerable families who need it most.

But, Bishop Rozario makes it clear that the future for the Rohingya refugees remains bleak, as its clear that the humanitarian needs will continue for some time to come. So, further funding is needed to support the crisis.

“Where will the funding come from as the crisis goes into a second, third, or fourth year? No political solution appears likely in the foreseeable future.”

Note to Editors:

1. CAFOD is the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. It works with communities across Africa, Asia and Latin America to fight poverty and injustice. The agency works with people in need regardless of race, gender, religion or nationality (cafod.org.uk).  And is part of Caritas International, the second largest humanitarian network in the world, with more than 160 members.
2. CAFOD is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) which brings 13 leading UK aid charities together in times of crisis: Action Aid, Age UK, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Plan UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision; all collectively raising money to reach those in need quickly. CAFOD’s Rohingya Crisis Appeal to date has raised over £300,000 and the DEC appeal has raised £26 million to date (including £5m UK Aid Match).

For further information or media requests for broadcast interviews please contact:  Elouise Hobbs on - Email: ehobbs@cafod.org.uk, Landline: 020 7095 5453, Mobile: 07954 077 426  or CAFOD out-of-hours media hotline: +44 (0)7919 301 429.