It has been five years since the Rohingya Muslim minority was expelled from Myanmar. Most of them live in precarious circumstances in one of the world’s largest refugee camps near Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. Sabrina Mayoufi from Solidar Suisse recently visited the camp. There is no sign of the Rohingya returning.
SRF News: What are your impressions of the refugee camp?
Sabrina Mayoufi: I experienced a very sad and very dramatic situation. You have to imagine that the place where the refugees are is three times the size of Zurich. Cox’s Bazar is divided into 34 camps, all of which are fenced off with barbed wire and surrounded by watchtowers. In other words, the people, including many women and children, live in dense crowds, like in an open-air prison.
You visited people. What did they tell you?
They told us that the situation is very difficult. That they lack hope. They want to be able to help themselves and do something that gives them hope and opportunities to live a better life. They have been there for five years and there is no end in sight. Nevertheless, the maximum is done in a very complex environment. The need is great and a lot has already been done. But there is still a lot to do.
The Bangladesh government has imposed certain restrictions on Solidar Suisse’s aid. Which are they?
The authorities do not want the refugees to settle and expect them to return to Myanmar as soon as possible. They only allow organizations like ours to launch short projects. But we can work with that too and bring some help.
How difficult is Solidar Suisse’s work on site?
It’s difficult, but it’s necessary. There are many organizations working there, but at the same time there is so much to do that controls are needed. All aid is very closely monitored by the government, donors, UN agencies and ourselves.
Can you present some projects?
We have renovated shelters to improve their stability and provide adequate living space. We have also improved the refugees’ food security, for example we have helped them to plant their own vegetable gardens. During the pandemic, we also helped directly with cash transfers so they could get essentials for themselves and their families.
Given the enormous needs, any intervention is a blessing.
Critics say that after five years more should have been done. You say the situation is difficult. Still, how do you deal with the criticism?
Given the enormous needs, any intervention is a blessing. And there is still a lot to be done, we can still bring a lot of hope to the people. With small interventions we can achieve a lot. And while only short-term measures are permitted, a start-up grant, for example for living expenses, given to a family member can provide lasting and dignified support for the entire family.
Will the Rohingya ever return to Myanmar?
It can’t go on like this, but at the same time they can’t go back. It will certainly stay that way for a few more years, until the government takes pity on the refugees and allows them to live with the population. But of course this takes time. They want to see if they can go back first. But everyone knows that this is not yet possible.
Adam Fehr conducted the interview.