Media: The Independent
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a press release yesterday (Tuesday) that the Rohingyas who have entered Bangladesh are in a poor condition and need life-saving assistance.
In a press briefing held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, UNHCR spokesperson Duniya Aslam Khan said, “Those who have made it to Bangladesh are in poor condition. Most have walked for days from their villages—hiding in jungles, crossing mountains and rivers with what they could salvage from their homes. They are hungry, weak and sick,” according to the press release.
There is an urgent need for additional emergency shelters and land as more refugees arrive. Coordination is crucial with the authorities to ensure that life-saving assistance reaches those who need it the most, said the UNHCR.
The UNHCR also estimated that 123,000 refugees have arrived in Bangladesh since violence broke out in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state on August 24. However, local and camp sources put the number of newly-arrived Rohingyas at more than 170,000 as many of the Rohingyas took shelter at local villages of bordering districts, apart from the camps of the UNHCR.
In the press release, the UNHCR has expressed grave concern about the continuing conflict in Myanmar and over reports that civilians have died trying to seek safety.
“The new arrivals are scattered in different locations in south-eastern Bangladesh. More than 30,000 Rohingyas are estimated to have sought shelter in the existing refugee camps of Kutupalong and Nayapara. Many others are living in makeshift sites and local villages,” the press release said.
The UNCHR said an unknown number could still be stranded at the border. On September 4, the UNHCR delivered some clothes, plastic sheets and relief supplies through an NGO partner.
The UNHCR expressed its appreciation of the role Bangladesh has played so far and continued to urge the Bangladesh government to allow safe passage to people fleeing violence. Registering and documenting the new arrivals would also allow aid agencies to prioritise and provide much-needed support and assistance, it observed. With hundreds of new refugees streaming in every day, Kutupalong and Nayapara camps are at breaking point. The new arrivals are being hosted by refugee families and in refugee schools, community centres, madrassas and covered structures, it said.
The UNHCR is working with the local authorities and its partners to deliver relief supplies, such as clothes, plastic sheets for shelter and sleeping mats. NGO partners and refugee volunteers are strengthening referral systems so that the new arrivals know where they can get critical services and aid. It is also identifying vulnerable arrivals, including unaccompanied children, who need additional care and protection.
Thousands stranded under open sky:
Several thousand Rohingyas were seen standing next to the road at Teknaf, Ukhiya and Naikhonchhori. Many were seen slinging tarpaulins over bamboo frames to make shelters against the monsoon rain at different areas of Kutupalong, Balukhali and Leda. Several thousands took shelter at UNHCR camps at Ukhiya and Teknaf, but several thousands more are yet to enter any makeshift camp because of the dearth of space.
However, many were seen building makeshift tents on hills and government lands. Many have taken shelter at local schools and madrassas.
Cox’s Bazar deputy commissioner Mohammad Ali Hossain told The Independent, “On humanitarian grounds, we are not obstructing the Rohingyas from building makeshifts.”
The newly arrived Rohingyas are suffering from a food crisis. The food crisis is more severe among the Rohingyas who took shelter at remote areas of the border as relief activities are yet to start in full swing. No relief is reaching those Rohingyas who have taken shelter at such areas from governmental, non-governmental and international quarters.
Though the UNCHR is giving some relief to the Rohingyas who have taken shelter at UNCHR camps, it is insufficient.
“The assistance given to the new arrivals is insufficient. We are sharing our food with those who had taken shelter with us. But the people who took shelter at different hill slopes and schools are suffering much,” said Md Joynal, a resident of Kutuplaong camp.
UNHCR (Bangladesh) spokesperson Joseph Tripura told The Independent, “The Rohingyas who came to our camps were given tents, food and medicines. We did our level best. Our manpower is being expanded at the spot to work for new refugees. Temporary people have also been appointed.”
“The crisis of food, medicines and water is severe among the newly arrived Rohingyas. The crisis is increasing everyday as new people are joining the existing ones,” said Md Anwar Hossain, a resident of Kutupalong camp.
Intrusion continues:
On visiting different border points on Monday night, it was seen that the Rohingyas are still coming in their thousands as everyday the Myanamarese security forces are setting Rohingya-majority areas ablaze. Moreover, thousands are waiting at different border points of the no man’s land between Bangladesh and Myanmar. With every passing day, the numbers are increasing.
The refugees were entering the country by crossing the Naf through different border points at Lambabeel, Kharain-gaghona, Shahpo-riridwip and Ulubunia in Teknaf upazila, and Anjuman Para and Thaingkhali Rahmaterbeel in Ukhia upazila, Rezuamtal, Tambroo, Jolpaitoli of Naikhonchori.
At around 9am, smoke was seen coming out over the hills of Magundaw from Whykong border point of Bangladesh. The Rohingyas who fled to Bangladesh have given accounts of mass killings, rape and torture committed by the Myanmarese military and armed residents.
Aman Ullah, 28, son of Baggona of Nayapara Maungdaw, who sustained bullet injuries, said, “On Monday night, the military set our home ablaze. They opened fire on us. They looted our property. In the wake of the torture meted out to us, we fled, leaving behind our all belongings.” Arafat, 25, son of Md Hossain of Maungdaw, echoed Aman Ullah.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday morning, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) turned back 2,678 Rohingyas from Shahporirdwip border point, disclosed BGB (Teknaf) director Ariful Islam.
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) also detained 50 Rohingyas and turned them back.
