COX’S BAZAR: UN Refugee Agency Urges for More Land Amid Tragic Landslides
On Thursday, the United Nations refugee agency emphasized the urgent need for more land to help reduce overcrowding in Bangladesh’s Rohingya refugee camps. This plea comes in the wake of heavy rains that recently caused landslides, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people.
Currently, over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, many of whom escaped from Myanmar during a severe military crackdown in 2017, reside in crowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. These refugees often live in makeshift shelters on hillsides that have been stripped of trees, making the area vulnerable to instability during the monsoon season.
Since Monday, the torrential rains have not only caused fatalities but also displaced more than 4,000 refugees due to multiple landslides. In a report released on Thursday, the UNHCR pointed out the serious congestion in the camps and once again highlighted the need for expanding available space.
The report stated, “The recent incidents underline the critical need for ongoing advocacy to optimize camp space and secure additional areas where possible.” It suggested that having more space would facilitate safer relocations from high-risk areas.
Ivo Freijsen, a UNHCR representative in Bangladesh, explained that many of the challenges Rohingya refugees face were predictable and could have been avoided. He noted that funding shortages and lack of space hinder efforts to address the most overcrowded and dangerous sections of the camps and to improve essential infrastructure.
Authorities in Bangladesh, already stretched thin, have reiterated their call for the safe return of the Rohingya to their home country. The military crackdown in 2017, which involved the burning of villages and the killing of civilians, is currently part of a genocide case being considered at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
