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Webclip – Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh three years after


Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
Jobaida, Rohingya refugee

It has been three years
since we arrived.
Many of us came here.
Over 700,000 Rohingya
fled violence in Myanmar in 2017.
For 12 days we walked
through the forest.

We had taken only a small amount of
food with us.

We remained hungry for the rest
of the journey after running out of food.
Abu Siddik, Rohingya refugee

When the government was
burning down the houses,

the mosques-madrasas,
torturing our mothers and sisters,

killing people,
and oppressing them,

I escaped to Bangladesh
to save my life.
Three years on, life remains difficult
in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.
Muriel Boursier, MSF head of mission

The conditions in the camps
are quite precarious.
There is a lack of access to water.

The refugee community relies mainly
on humanitarian services for their living.

They are not able to work
because they have no legal status
within the country.
Abu Siddik, Rohingya refugee

It is very hot in the shelter
due to the tarpaulin roof.

There’s no space for children to play,
that’s why they wander around.

All in all, we are facing
a lot of trouble.
Dr Ferdyoli Porcel, MSF paediatrician

They live too many people in one room,
without the proper conditions.
So that makes the patients,
especially the little ones,
to be more exposed to have
many kinds of infections.

Skin infections, parasite infections,
respiratory infections, severe pneumonia.
The COVID-19 pandemic
has only added new challenges.
Dr Tarikul Islam, MSF medical team leader

One of the issues is stigma and fear
of COVID-19.

Our refugee patients are afraid
of going to the health centre
because of stigmatization
from the community.

Many healthcare providers
reduced their activities
because of reduced staffing and
restriction on movements.
The future looks very uncertain
for the Rohingya.
Jobaida, Rohingya refugee

I wonder when I will be
able to return to Myanmar.

It’s still my country.

I don’t have much knowledge
about this place (Bangladesh)
like I have about my own country.
Abu Siddik, Rohingya refugee

If our house is returned to us,
if we are not mistreated like before,
if my family’s life is protected,
we will go back (to Myanmar).
Muriel Boursier, MSF head of mission in Bangladesh

The situation for the Rohingya
is still very complicated
and more than ever they require
a more sustainable solution for the future.