Seven Years On, Rohingya Refugees Face Uncertain Future in Bangladesh
Seven years havepassed since a wave of violence erupted in Myanmar’s Rakhine State,forcing over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. While the immediate crisis has subsided, the long-term plight ofthese refugees remains a pressing concern, with the challenges of providing aid and ensuring their safe return to their homeland continuing to loom large.
The conflict began on August25, 2017, when Rohingya armed groups launched coordinated attacks on police and military installations in Rakhine State. This sparked a brutal crackdown by the Myanmar military, leading to widespread killings, rapes, andthe burning of villages. The violence displaced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, who crossed the border into Bangladesh seeking refuge.
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), as of April 2024, there were approximately980,000 Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh, including those who had sought refuge prior to the 2017 crisis. The refugees are primarily housed in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, where they face a multitude of challenges, including limited access to basic necessities, inadequate sanitation, anda lack of educational and employment opportunities.
The situation has been further complicated by a decline in international aid, leading to shortages of food and other essential supplies. The security situation in the camps has also deteriorated, with reports of increasing crime and violence.
The Rohingya refugees have been living in limbo for years, with their future uncertain, said a humanitarian worker who has been working in the camps for several years. While the international community has provided significant aid, the long-term solution lies in their safe and voluntary return to Myanmar.
However, the return of the Rohingya refugees remains a complex and sensitive issue. Myanmarhas been accused of failing to address the root causes of the conflict and of creating an environment conducive to the return of the refugees. The Rohingya community, meanwhile, expresses deep concerns about their safety and security if they were to return to their homeland.
In a recent statement, Bangladesh’s Senior Advisor to the InterimGovernment, Muhammad Yunus, reiterated his government’s commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya refugees. However, he also emphasized the need for sustained international support to facilitate the eventual return of the refugees to their homeland.
Bangladesh has been a generous host to the Rohingya refugees, but we cannot shoulder this burdenalone, said Yunus. We need the international community to work with us to create conditions that allow for the safe and dignified return of the refugees to Myanmar.
The Rohingya crisis is a stark reminder of the enduring challenges of displacement and the need for long-term solutions to address the root causes of conflict. Theinternational community must continue to support the Rohingya refugees and work with the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh to create a path towards lasting peace and reconciliation.
【来源】https://nwapi.nhk.jp/nhkworld/rdnewsweb/v6b/zh/detail/20240825_06.json
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