We recognize that global crises continue to multiply - from Gaza to Ukraine to now the war in the Middle East as a result of the US-Israel attack on Iran and the global ramifications as a result.
However, it is truly disheartening that as a result of these crises, the plight of the Rohingya risks slipping into silence. For Bangladesh though, the reality remains urgent: Over a million refugees continue to live in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, dependent on aid that is now dwindling.
The recent 50% cut in US assistance, as highlighted by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, underscores the fragility of what we are dealing with.
Let it not be forgotten that Bangladesh has shouldered this burden for about a decade now, offering shelter and dignity where Myanmar offered persecution and violence.
Let it also be remembered that while Bangladesh has been generous, the strain on it as a nation has been nothing but immense.
Camps are congested, host communities are increasingly angry and hostile, and for a resource-scarce nation such as us, this was never a long term solution.
As such, without sustained global support, conditions will deteriorate further, fueling instability and despair.
The Rohingya crisis is not Bangladesh’s to bear alone but rather a global responsibility. The persecution that drove them here was a crime against humanity, and the obligation to protect them lies with the international community.
However, promises of solidarity have over the years been nothing but hollow and met with indifference. Justice remains elusive, with international legal proceedings against Myanmar dragging on while refugees see no change in their daily lives.
The way forward must be twofold: Continued humanitarian aid to sustain lives in the camps, and renewed diplomatic pressure on Myanmar to ensure safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation. Bangladesh cannot be left to carry this burden indefinitely.
