SINCE violence broke out in Rakhine state, Myanmar, in August 2017, more than 480,000 Rohingya refugees have crossed the Bangladesh-Myanmar border into Cox’s Bazar. Many have since been shifted away from roadsides into designated areas in places like Kutupalong, Balukhali, Tengkhali and Nayapara, where they construct shelters with bamboo and plastic sheets.
The Bangladesh government continues to work closely with civil society groups and humanitarian agencies in deploying assistance to these camps.
These photographs offer a glimpse into life in the camps. – September 27, 2017.
The hills in Cox’s Bazar are now home to thousands living in makeshift shelters, as seen here in Balukhali. – The Malaysian pic by Mahen Bala, September 27, 2017.Nazir Ahmed, 60, walked for eight days from Fetovor Baram, Buthidaung, before arriving in Thengkhali. His son is lying ill next to him with high fever as they have no access to medicine. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Mahen Bala, September 27, 2017.Shobbir Ahmed, 25, showing wounds sustained after he was allegedly shot at by the Myanmar military. There are additional wounds all over the torso from shrapnel. He received medical treatment in Kutupalong camp before being discharged, as there were others in urgent need of attention. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Mahen Bala, September 27, 2017.There are now more than 91,000 children in these camps, without access to education. Any plans for the construction of educational facilities had to be put on hold as the sites are being occupied by new arrivals. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Mahen Bala, September 27, 2017.These holes are dug in preparation for new toilets but they remind many of the survivors of something far more sinister. Similar holes were allegedly used by the Myanmar military to dump and later burn bodies. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Mahen Bala, September 27, 2017.There are only two makeshift toilets in the newly settled camp in Nayapara, shared by about 150 people. For now, the toilets are reserved for the females, while the males either use the toilet in nearby homes or in a secluded area of their choice. Lack of proper sanitation is one of the many dire issues pointed out by the refugees. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Mahen Bala, September 27, 2017.Because rent is expensive (RM52), families are forced to share a space no larger than 20sqm. Strong wind sometime rips away the plastic sheet, allowing rain to seep in and turn the soil into mud. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Mahen Bala, September 27, 2017.Children are the most vulnerable victims of such crises. Uprooted from their homes literally overnight, they are stripped away from access to education, hygiene and a balanced meal at such a critical phase of their development. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Mahen Bala, September 27, 2017.Rehna Begum, 50, and her family were forced to resettle in the Kutupalong makeshift settlement after fleeing violence in Naraingkyuang, Maungdaw. The settlement is now home to more than 176,000 Rohingya. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Mahen Bala, September 27, 2017.When it rains, the soft ground in the camps turn to mud and makes it hard for refugees to access clean water. On a daily basis, 1.5 million litres of clean water are provided at the makeshift settlements, spontaneous sites and camps by relevant agencies. Since August 25, 213 tube wells have been installed and 15,477 jerrycans distributed to facilitate the safe collection and storage of water. More importantly, 1,532 emergency latrines have been constructed and are being maintained by implementing agencies. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Mahen Bala, September 27, 2017.The Balukhali camp is now a temporary home to about 45,000 Rohingya fleeing violence in Rakhine state. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Mahen Bala, September 27, 2017.Abdullah, 65, working with his wife to adjust the roofing of their shelter which houses a family of 15. The roofed structure in the background is the permanent home of a local, who has allowed Abdullah to build his shelter on the land without paying rent. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Mahen Bala, September 27, 2017.
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