ASIA/MYANMAR - Civil war in Rakhine State worsens the situation of the Rohingya

Yangon (Agenzia Fides) - The civil war in the Burmese state of Rakhine, on the west coast of Myanmar, is intensifying with an increase in victims and the displacement of the Rohingya, an ethnic group of Muslim faith who live in the state together with the Buddhist majority of the population. Given the situation on the ground, the influx of Rohingya refugees seeking refuge and protection in Bangladesh continues, seven years after the first massive emigration of 750,000 Rohingya who fled the violence and persecution in Myanmar across the border and settled in Bangladesh's "Cox's Bazar", where the government in Dhaka, with the support of UN organizations and the international community, has housed them in large refugee camps.
The situation of the Rohingya today appears critical on both sides of the border. In Myanmar, in the state of Rakhine, over 130,000 civilians, especially children and families, are being targeted or caught in the crossfire of clashes between the regular Burmese army and the militiamen of the "Arakan Army", a local military organization that is one of the opponents of the Burmese junta. The context is the ongoing civil war in the country, and the number of internally displaced people is at an all-time high of over 3.3 million. "The Rohingya civilian population in Rakhine is the main victim of the atrocities committed by the Myanmar army and the opposition Arakan Army," said Elaine Pearson, Asia director of "Human Rights Watch", when presenting the latest report on the attacks in the area.
Access for humanitarian organizations in Rakhine has become extremely difficult, the children's aid organization UNICEF states. Basic services such as access to drinking water and medical care are at risk, exacerbated by power and telecommunications outages, affecting both civil and humanitarian responses.
Across the border in Bangladesh, life in the refugee camps also appears to be very critical, with difficulties in the distribution of essential goods and a lack of education, development, social reintegration or employment to offer the displaced a future. In addition, “new security challenges and funding uncertainties are undermining any assistance,” the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recently warned, while the $852 million per year needed to support some 1.3 million people could not be covered by international funds. As a result, food rations for the displaced have been cut, health centers lack medical staff and medicines, and poor water quality is leading to epidemics of cholera and hepatitis.
The Rohingya are entirely dependent on humanitarian aid and live in makeshift shelters in severely overcrowded camps. “Bangladesh’s continued support for the refugee population – particularly the approximately 500,000 children – is crucial,” UNICEF said, pointing out the violation of children’s rights in this situation.
In Bangladesh, rocked by a political crisis that culminated with the flight of former President Sheikh Hasina, the interim government of Muhammad Yunus showed some solidarity with the Rohingya refugees. Authorities remain committed to a “dignified, voluntary and sustainable” return to Myanmar, but given the escalating conflict in Myanmar, which has worsened conditions for the Rohingya remaining in their original districts, there are not the conditions on the ground to make this possible.
Until a solution is found, the lives of the Rohingya remain uncertain, and in both Bangladesh and Myanmar, UNHCR said, “broad and systematic global support” from the international community is needed.
Pope Francis asked the Rohingya for forgiveness from the whole world during his visit to Bangladesh in 2017 and called for respect for the dignity and rights of the refugees. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 14/9/2024)

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