Bangladesh: One deplorable situation to another

© MSF. Bangladesh - Kutupalong Makeshift Camp

Médecins Sans Frontières moves to assist Rohingya living in unacceptable humanitarian conditions in yet another makeshift camp in Bangladesh.

Recently, Médecins Sans Frontières was alerted to a growing health crisis in the Kutupalong area of Bangladesh, where thousands of Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority originating from the northern Rakhine state of Myanmar, are struggling to survive unassisted in a makeshift camp.

The Médecins Sans Frontières team in Bangladesh immediately arranged an assessment of the area which revealed an unacceptable humanitarian situation. An estimated 20,000 people were found to be living in foul conditions, with little access to safe drinking water or sanitation.

“In Kutupalong unofficial camp the water and sanitation situation is appalling and needs to be addressed urgently. Faeces and polluted waste water can be found throughout the camp presenting a significant health risk. There are insufficient water points and those that are available are very poorly protected”, said a Water and Sanitation Expert from Médecins Sans Frontières.

A nutritional survey showed equally alarming results.

“The prevalence of global acute malnutrition exceeds the emergency threshold and the majority of households are severely food insecure. With the forthcoming wet season presenting an additional immediate threat to the health of the population, urgent interventions are required to prevent further death and disease”, said an emergency team member from Médecins Sans Frontières.

In response to the situation and with the support of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), Médecins Sans Frontières is in the process of starting an emergency program - providing basic healthcare to children under-5 years of age, running an ambulatory and in-patient feeding program and taking measures to improve the water and sanitation in the camp.

The Kutupalong makeshift camp is situated south of Cox’s Bazaar, in the region surrounding the official UNHCR Kutupalong Refugee Camp. It has reportedly been in existence for over a year, gradually increasing in population size. The camp is populated by Rohingya, a people who for decades have fled the persecution and discrimination they face in Myanmar to seek refuge elsewhere. Sadly, few people find the assistance they hope for and many go onto to suffer countless indignities in the countries to which they have fled.

Currently, approximately 25,000 people are officially recognised as refugees in Bangladesh. Hundreds of thousands more people struggle to survive without recognition or assistance, moving from one deplorable situation to another, and vulnerable to exploitation.  

Médecins Sans Frontières has been providing medical assistance to the Rohingya for years and is witness to their ongoing suffering both inside and outside of Myanmar. A fundamental solution, not only in countries where Rohingya seek asylum but most importantly at their origin in Myanmar, is crucial to restoring the health and dignity of these long suffering people.