Rohingya Crisis Persists: Thousands Continue to Struggle in Refugee Camps Seven Years Later
by Zana Sahyouni, IRUSA Communications Specialist
In 2017, the Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority from Nyanmar’s Rakhine State, fled their homes following a brutal military crackdown described by the United Nations as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” The majority sought refuge in Bangladesh, where they were accommodated in makeshift camps in Cox’s Bazar, now the world’s largest refugee camp.
Seven years after the mass exodus of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar, the crisis remains a pressing humanitarian issue, with over a million refugees still living in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh. Despite international pledges of support, the situation for the Rohingya people remains dire, with limited prospects for repatriation and deteriorating conditions within the camps.
As of 2024, over a million Rohingya refugees remain in these camps, facing a host of challenges, including overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and limited access to education and employment opportunities. The situation has been exacerbated by the 2023 Cox Bazar fire, where thousands of shelters were lost, and many facilities were damaged including hospitals, water networks, mosques, and learning centers.
Islamic Relief USA has been providing relief for the Rohingya through various projects. “We are dedicated to making a positive impact by helping the Rohingya community in Bangladesh by providing improved access to safe shelter, basic NFIs, sanitation, hygiene, and nutritious food, as well as implementing environmentally friendly waste management systems and practices. Our efforts are making a real difference in the lives of those in need,” shared Abdul Hay Sadrey, IRUSA International Programs Manager.
To help the Rohingya people, donate now.
