Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar face perils at sea

In the midst of escalating violence and dire living conditions in Bangladeshi camps, Rohingya refugees, initially seeking safety from brutalities in Myanmar, are now undertaking perilous sea crossings in a desperate bid to escape hunger, kidnap threats, and gang violence.

Nur Kayes, a mother of two, tearfully shares the struggles of feeding her family in a squalid camp in southeast Bangladesh. Insufficient UN funding has left refugees without adequate sustenance, creating a heartbreaking situation where children cry for food, and families are haunted by the fear of hunger.

Amidst the growing turmoil, Bangladesh hosts around a million Rohingya refugees, many of whom fled a military crackdown in Myanmar. However, increasing violence in Bangladeshi camps, serving as staging posts for drug and human trafficking, prompts hundreds of refugees to embark on perilous journeys to Indonesia and Malaysia.

Security in the camps has worsened, with over 60 refugees killed in turf wars and drug-related clashes this year alone—a record high.

Kidnappings for ransom have also surged, forcing Rohingya, tired of camp life, to seek alternative routes in search of safety and stability.

Rohingya youth activist Saiful Arakani highlights the desperation within the camps, with refugees risking their lives to escape violence.

The dream of a “better and violence-free life” drives many to embark on perilous sea journeys, despite the life-threatening risks.

Facing economic desperation, tens of thousands of Rohingya have left the camps to find work in local industries, aggravating tensions with local communities.

The refugee commission acknowledges the difficulty of controlling this trend as refugees seek livelihoods outside the camps.

Despite the risks and financial barriers imposed by human traffickers charging exorbitant fees, Rohingya refugees, like Nur Kayes, dream of a “better country.”

The dream remains elusive for many due to financial constraints and the harsh realities of life as stateless refugees.

As the Rohingya crisis continues, the international community faces the challenge of addressing not only the immediate dangers faced by refugees at sea but also the root causes that drive them to undertake such perilous journeys.