Over the past 18 months, nearly 1,50,000 Rohingya refugees have arrived in Bangladesh from Myanmar's Rakhine State, marking the largest influx since 2017, when more than 7,50,000 Rohingya sought refuge following the military crackdown in Myanmar.
The new arrivals are placing a renewed burden on the already overcrowded refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.
This information was revealed in a statement published on the official website of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday (July 11).
According to the statement, ongoing targeted violence and persecution in Rakhine State continue to force thousands of Rohingya to cross their border and seek protection in Bangladesh.
Currently, nearly 1,000,000 Rohingya are crammed within just 24 square kilometres in Cox's Bazar. The majority of the recent arrivals are women and children, further straining resources including food, healthcare, education, and fuel.
UNHCR Spokesperson Babar Baloch, in a press briefing on Friday at UNHCR headquarters, said, "Targeted violence and persecution on the Rohingya community in Myanmar's Rakhine State continues persistently. Apart from this, armed conflict is also ongoing across the country. As a result, thousands of Rohingya are still being forced to search for safety in Bangladesh."
The UNHCR reported that as of June 2025, among the new arrivals, biometric registration has been completed for nearly 1,21,000 Rohingya. However, many remain in the camps without registration. This biometric technology makes it easier to deliver basic services.
In addition, the organisation has warned that healthcare services could face further disruptions by next September, and essential cooking fuel (LPG) may run out. There is a possibility that by December, food assistance will stop. If this happens, education for some 2,30,000 children, including 63,000 newly arrived, is at risk of being discontinued.
The UNHCR further mentioned that the refugees in Rohingya camps have already felt the impact of this reduction of aid, and they are afraid that more essential services may be cut shortly. As a result, many are attempting to flee to other countries through dangerous sea routes in search of safety and a more dignified life.
According to the agency's report, the Bangladesh-Myanmar border remains officially closed, but newly arrived refugees are receiving emergency assistance with the approval of Bangladesh's government. The UNHCR expressed gratitude to the government for this support and called for continued access to safe shelter for civilians fleeing Rakhine in the future.
Comments