The Rohingya crisis: A growing burden Bangladesh can no longer bear

The Rohingya crisis, now in its seventh year, has pushed Bangladesh to its limits. Since August 2017, when over 730,000 Rohingya Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) fled violence and persecution in Myanmar to seek refuge in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district, the situation has only grown more complex. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts by Bangladesh, including bilateral talks with Myanmar, trilateral negotiations involving China, and raising the issue in multilateral forums like the United Nations, a sustainable solution remains elusive. The burden on Bangladesh has become overwhelming, and the country can no longer continue to absorb more Rohingya refugees without significant repercussions.

The most viable solution to this crisis—a safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar—has been derailed by Myanmar’s internal conflicts. The military coup in February 2021, which ousted the democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government, has plunged Myanmar into a state of civil war with no resolution in sight. The military junta, the Tatmadaw, and anti-junta forces have been locked in fierce conflict, with control of the country now fragmented. The Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic armed organization, has made significant territorial gains in Rakhine State, where the Rohingya originate. As a result, Myanmar is in no position to facilitate the return of the Rohingyas, and the prospects for repatriation grow dimmer by the day.

In recent months, the situation has deteriorated further, with intense fighting in Rakhine State’s Maungdaw township, the home of the Rohingyas. Both the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military have attempted to use the Rohingyas as frontline forces in the conflict, leading to more persecution and increasing the likelihood that more Rohingyas will flee to Bangladesh. According to reports, over 1,500 Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh in the last few weeks, and approximately 5,000 more are waiting near the Naf River, hoping to cross into Bangladesh. If this continues, Bangladesh will face a slow but steady influx of refugees, exacerbating the already dire situation.

In light of these developments, Bangladesh must take decisive action to protect its interests and prevent further strain on its resources. The first and most urgent step is to ensure that no more Rohingyas can enter the country. The terrain and inaccessible borders make it difficult to control the influx, but Bangladesh must strengthen its border security to prevent further illegal crossings. Allowing more refugees to enter will only create additional hurdles for a country already struggling to support the 1.3 million Rohingyas currently within its borders.

The security situation in Bangladesh is also becoming increasingly precarious, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region, where tensions have been rising due to the activities of the Kuki-Chin community and insurgent groups. The volatility in the tri-patriate border area of Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India adds another layer of complexity, as transboundary relations between these countries will significantly impact the geopolitics of the region. The unrest in the CHT area presents an opportunity for conspirators against Bangladesh to exploit the situation, potentially leading to further destabilization. Additionally, Rohingya refugees are vulnerable to recruitment by insurgent groups operating in the CHT, posing a direct threat to Bangladesh's territorial integrity and national security.

The economic burden of hosting the Rohingyas is another critical issue. Bangladesh spends an estimated $1.22 billion annually to support the refugee population, a significant sum for a developing country with its own economic challenges. The strain on resources is evident in the increasing conflicts between the host communities and the Rohingya refugees, driven by competition for jobs, resources, and basic services. The situation is further complicated by rising crime rates within the refugee camps. In 2022 alone, law enforcement agencies reported over 1,500 cases of crimes committed by Rohingyas, including abduction, extortion, theft, and vandalism.

The environmental impact of the Rohingya camps cannot be overlooked. The refugee influx has led to the destruction of 12,000 acres of forest in Cox’s Bazar, contributing to deforestation, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity. The depletion of groundwater, contamination of freshwater sources, waste generation, air pollution, and threats to wildlife are all consequences of the overpopulation in the camps. These environmental challenges affect the local ecosystem and pose long-term risks to Bangladesh’s environmental sustainability.

Adding to these challenges is the ongoing threat to Bangladesh’s national security, particularly in the border areas. Incidents of gunfire from Myanmar targeting Bangladeshi boats near Saint Martin’s Island have isolated the area from Cox’s Bazar, disrupting regular tourist activities and causing anxiety among the local population. The bordering villages are now living in a state of constant tension, further complicating the situation for Bangladesh.

Given these complex challenges, it is clear that the Rohingya crisis has become more than just a humanitarian issue—it is a matter of national security, economic sustainability, and social stability for Bangladesh. The repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar remains the only long-term solution, but given the current political turmoil in Myanmar, this outcome seems increasingly unlikely.

Bangladesh must adopt a strict policy of not allowing new refugees into the country, while continuing its diplomatic efforts to seek a resolution to the crisis through international channels. The international community must also step up its support, not just in providing humanitarian aid but in exerting pressure on Myanmar to create the conditions necessary for the safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas. The burden of this crisis cannot continue to fall solely on Bangladesh, which has already done more than its fair share in providing refuge to the world’s most persecuted people.

In conclusion, the Rohingya crisis has reached a tipping point. Bangladesh is facing severe economic, social, environmental, and security challenges due to hosting 1.3 million refugees, and the country cannot bear this burden alone any longer. The international community must take decisive action to resolve the crisis, and Bangladesh must protect its interests by preventing further refugee influxes and addressing the security threats posed by the current situation. 

The international community must take into account that the Rohingya crisis is not a headache for Bangladesh alone. Only funding for the Rohingyas, which is also inadequate, is not a solution to the crisis. There is no alternative to collaborative global efforts to find a better future for the Rohingyas.

The writer is a freelance journalist and researcher. He holds an MSS in Anthropology from Dhaka University.