The Rohingya Refugee Crisis: A Time Bomb Waiting to Explode

Abstract

Nearly three years have passed since the influx of more than 700,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar into Bangladesh began in August 2017, but there is still no durable solution to their plight. Together with other Rohingya groups who came to Bangladesh at different periods, these million plus refugees now constitute the world's largest single refugee population. The latest influx comprises victims of what the UN and other international observers have termed 'genocide'. Bangladesh has so far managed to shelter the refugees with much difficulty and great sacrifice. However, serious tensions have continued to mount in the over-crowded camps, as have clashes with the local community. Unless Myanmar facilitates voluntary repatriation of the refugees soon, the situation is likely to get worse and engulf the whole region. Concerted international efforts are called for to ensure voluntary repatriation of the refugees which is the only viable solution for such large numbers.