The Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar are currently facing a severe financial crisis. Socio-economic instability is increasing day by day in the camps.
The United Nations has recently reduced the allocation to Rohingya camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf in Cox's Bazar along with international donors.
The number of Rohingyas in 33 registered Rohingya camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf is 1.25 million.
International aid was initially abundant in helping the Rohingya. But gradually it started to decrease.
At the same time, various types of crimes are increasing in Rohingya camps. Rohingyas are also involved in separatist crime activities including drug smuggling, murder, and human trafficking.
In March this year, the monthly allocation for the Rohingyas was reduced from $12 to $10 per person. The allocation has been further reduced to $8 from last June 1.
Master Zobair, Rohingya community leader of Lambashia camp in Ukhia, said: "Recently, the allocation in the Rohingya camp has decreased. The Rohingyas are not getting the same amount of ration that they used to get. This has caused a financial crisis in Rohingya families. If this continues, apart from various crimes in the camp, unrest will also spread among the local Bangladeshi families."
Khaleda Begum, a resident of Kutupalong camp, said: "The family cannot survive with the ration given now. As a result, the male members of the family have to go to work outside the camp. Those who have no one to earn outside of the camp, their families have experienced severe financial hardship.”
Engineer Md Helal Uddin, member of Rajapalong Union Parishad of Ukhia, said: "Criminal tendency among Rohingyas will increase as food aid is reduced. Rohingyas are constantly going out of the camp in search of work. This is creating a risk to the local residents.”
Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission Md Mizanur Rahman spoke to Dhaka Tribune about the volatile situation in the Rohingya camp.
He said: "Reducing the food allocation will have a negative impact on the life of the Rohingyas. Crime will also increase. In this situation, it is necessary to solve the Rohingya repatriation problem.”
He further said: "Bangladesh continues to negotiate with Myanmar in addition to increasing diplomatic activities in the international arena to send Rohingyas back to their country. In 2018, a list of more than 800,000 Rohingya was sent to Myanmar. Of these, 70,000 Rohingyas have been sorted out by Myanmar so far."