Burmese Rohingya refugees living in unregistered refugee camps in Bangladesh are on the verge of starvation after new security protocols are preventing them from seeking work, according to Rashid, a Kutupalong makeshift camp committee member.
The Bangladesh government has increased the presence of security forces such Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB), Repaid Action Battalion (RAB) and police along the border areas where the refugees camps are located, and in also in the city. Most of the roads are blocked making arrest likely for the undocumented job seekers, according to a camp official.
The refugees living in Kutupalong and Lada are not registered, therefore not eligible for UN support. In order to survive they must find work as day laborers on farms, as rickshaw operators or in the fishing industry.
“In Bangladesh there are 4 refugee camps. Two are UNHCR recognized camps but the others aren’t recognized. These unregistered refugees camps are getting any support from UNHCR or government. The refugees need to find work outside of the camps in order to survive.”
In Kutupalong makeshift camp there are about 60,000 people and 15,000 in Lada makeshift camp.
