Amid a dramatic increase in the number of refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar’s Northern Rakhine state, UNHCR Friday called for urgent action to address the prime causes of the recent surge in violence.
The UNHCR sought urgent action to ensure that people are not forced to flee their country and can return home safely, says a report on UNB.
In the last two weeks an estimated 27O,000 Rohingya refugees have sought safety in Bangladesh, according to the UNHCR.
The limited shelter capacity is already exhausted. Refugees are now squatting in makeshift shelters that have mushroomed along the road and on available land in the Ukhiya and Teknaf areas.
The Rohingya are a stateless Muslim minority in Myanmar who have faced discrimination and extreme poverty for decades.
They have not been allowed to exercise their basic rights including the freedom to move, right to education, work and other social, civil and political rights.
"We remain concerned by continuing reports of civilians dying as they try to flee to safety," said UNHCR spokesperson Duniya Aslam Khan at a press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Friday.
The two refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar in south-east Bangladesh – home to nearly 34,000 Rohingya refugees before this influx – are now bursting at the seams.
The population has more than doubled in two weeks, totalling more than 70,000.
"There is an urgent need for more land and shelters," said the Spokesperson.
UNHCR and their partners are working to provide protection and life-saving support to the new arrivals in Kutupalong and Nayapara camps.
"We continue to identify the most vulnerable refugees, such as unaccompanied children, women, the elderly and disabled, in need of shelter, food, water and healthcare. We are calling for the registration of all refugees upon arrival, in order to ensure their protection and access to essential services," said the Spokesperson.
