Title: Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh Face Surge in Deadly Violence
In the refugee camps in Bangladesh where roughly one million Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar have resettled, a new threat has emerged – a surge in deadly violence from armed Rohingya groups and criminal gangs.
These groups, known as the “night government,” have become increasingly brazen in their actions, terrorizing their fellow Rohingya and engaging in gunfights in broad daylight as they fight for control of the camps. The escalating violence has added to the already dire conditions in the camps, which are plagued by disease, malnutrition, floods, and landslides.
The situation has prompted more and more Rohingya to attempt treacherous boat journeys to flee the camps, as serious security incidents have nearly tripled in the past year according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Bangladesh.
Residents of the camps have accused local police of being ineffective or complicit in the violence, while police officials deny these claims. The presence of multiple armed groups in the camps has further complicated the security situation, with analysts estimating between five and 15 groups operating in the area.
The decline in international funding for the Rohingya crisis has exacerbated the refugees’ predicament, with aid levels equating to roughly 30 cents a day per refugee. This has forced some refugees to feel they have little choice but to get involved in the activities of the armed groups in order to provide for their families.
As the violence continues to escalate, aid workers and human rights groups are increasingly concerned about the safety and well-being of the Rohingya refugees in the camps. The situation highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis to ensure the safety and security of those who have already endured so much.
