Rohingya take to the sea in search of safety in Bangladesh
| Publisher | Human Rights Watch |
| Author | Vivian Tan |
| Publication Date | 7 September 2017 |
| Cite as | Human Rights Watch, Rohingya take to the sea in search of safety in Bangladesh, 7 September 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59b667624.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
He is too young to have a name but has already suffered more than most people do in a lifetime. Baby X was born nine days ago just after his family lost everything they owned. "They burnt our house and drove us out by shooting. We walked for three days through the jungle. That's where he was born," said his father Mohamed, gesturing to the puckered bundle of life. The family of seven is among an estimated 164,000 people who have fled Myanmar's northern Rakhine state since violence broke out there on August 25. They waited for a night on the Myanmar border before taking a fishing boat to Bangladesh, braving a five-hour voyage through rough seas in the Bay of Bengal. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of others have landed on the beaches of Teknaf in south-eastern Bangladesh in the last few days. Curve-tailed boats that usually carry fish have been taking these refugees to safety for a fee. Passengers pay between 5,000 and 10,000 Bangladeshi taka (US$60-122) per person. Refugees say that those who cannot pay are held by the boat owner until their relatives pay up or the police intervene.
They waited for a night on the Myanmar border before taking a fishing boat to Bangladesh, braving a five-hour voyage through rough seas in the Bay of Bengal. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of others have landed on the beaches of Teknaf in south-eastern Bangladesh in the last few days. Curve-tailed boats that usually carry fish have been taking these refugees to safety for a fee. Passengers pay between 5,000 and 10,000 Bangladeshi taka (US$60-122) per person. Refugees say that those who cannot pay are held by the boat owner until their relatives pay up or the police intervene.
Most spend the night in the nearby village of Shamlapur, which has hosted many Rohingya refugees since the late 1970s. A local leader named Shahid estimates that more than 10,000 have arrived in his village alone within days From here, they call whatever relatives they may have in Bangladesh. Those with no ties move on in search of assistance - to existing refugee camps like Kutupalong or makeshift sites like Balukhali some 15 km away. They are not done with walking yet. But at least tonight, they know they can sleep in peace. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is working on the ground with its partners to provide them with protection, lifesaving aid like shelter, food, water and healthcare. It is calling for the registration of all refugees upon arrival, to allow all those in need to access necessary services.
