─Social Change
Nearly three years passed since the
largest influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar into Bangladesh began in
August 2017. Around three-quarter of a million refugees poured into Bangladesh
within a short span of time. Together with 300,000–400,000 other
Rohingyas who came to Bangladesh at different times over the last three
decades, they formed one of the largest refugee groups in the world today.
The latest influx was a human avalanche, accompanied by heart-wrenching scenes
of pain, suffering and destitution.
Beginning of the Influx
Nearly three years passed since the
largest influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar into Bangladesh began in
August 2017. Around three-quarter of a million refugees poured into Bangladesh
within a short span of time. Together with 300,000–400,000 other
Rohingyas who came to Bangladesh at different times over the last three
decades, they formed one of the largest refugee groups in the world today.
The latest influx was a human avalanche, accompanied by heart-wrenching scenes
of pain, suffering and destitution.
Refugee narratives about the
horrific circumstances which made them flee Myanmar reminded the world of these
human tragedies which have ‘shocked the conscience of mankind’
throughout history.
Human concern, sympathy and
compassion for the Rohingyas poured in from all corners of the world. Financial
and material support flowed from governments, international financial
institutions, UN bodies, civil society and individuals alike.
Charges of genocide and crimes
against humanity were raised against the Myanmarese forces and calls for
international accountability measures against them were rife. International
support for refugees was more than matched by the generosity and support of the
government and people of Bangladesh.
The spontaneous decision of the
government, with the whole-hearted support of the local population, to receive
such a huge refugee population is extremely rare in history. It has rightly
earned international accolades for the country and its prime minister.
There is a general recognition
that the handling of such a large and shattered population by Bangladesh,
itself a densely populated developing country, was highly commendable.
Current Situation
Nearly three years on, however
the plight of the refugees does not dominate international headlines anymore.
Like many other examples of human resilience in coping with humanitarian
calamities of such a huge magnitude, the refugees are now ensconced in hundreds
of densely populated refugee camps spread over a large area bordering Myanmar.
They continue to cope with the
new realities of their lives and mull over their uncertain future. Despite
admirable success in containing such a volatile situation, there is no scope
for complacency. Many signs of unrest have already manifested themselves in the
camps, foreboding more bad times to come. The atmosphere in the overcrowded
camps and the surrounding region is heating up for reasons not uncommon to such
situations. The hopelessness and frustrations of the refugees living under such
dire circumstances are the normal breeding grounds for tension and conflicts.
At the same time, the over-stretched hospitality of the local population has
begun to strain. Their complaints about refugee encroachments on their lives,
livelihoods and environment are getting louder and progressively more
threatening.
As time passes, they will most certainly
get worse. It is time, therefore, to look for ways to resolve the underlying
problems before they worsen further. Clearly, the most urgent need is to inject
some hope in the minds of the refugees and the surrounding host population
alike. Both must be assured that they are not forgotten, and serious efforts
are being made to resolve the crisis sooner than later.
Unless there is
progress in that direction, darker and more ominous clouds will continue to
build up. In such an atmosphere, there will be no dearth of exploiters to take
advantage of the situation and make it worse. History is replete with examples
of such a nature.
There
are also ominous signs of an onset of compassion fatigue among international
donors. By the end of July this year, only 35 per cent of the Joint Response
Plan of the UN for the care and maintenance of the Rohingya refugees in
Bangladesh for 2019, totalling USD 920.50 million, has been met. If the
contributions do not pick up soon, disastrous consequences are likely to follow
in the not too distant future.
Finding Solutions: What Are the Options?
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