This Friday, August 25, marks the sixth anniversary of the event that led to the exodus of the Israelis. More than 700,000 ethnic minorities Rohingya Leave Myanmar.they are trying Fleeing the Army’s Selective Violence From the country, he traveled to Cox’s Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh to seek asylum.
today, medical needs in considered person The world’s largest refugee camp is pressingThe humanitarian assistance received by the millions of local residents is increasingly insufficient. There are multiple emergencies in the global context, many of which are large in scale, International funding for the crisis continues to be cut Year by year.
which makes The state of the people Rohingya become increasingly worrisome. SRemain stateless, without legal status, not allowed to work or leave the camp (1). They are almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid. They live on land surrounded by fences and barbed wire since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Temporary solution in August 2017 to provide shelter for people fleeing horrific violence has become a Protracted crisis with no reasonable solution in sight.For now refugee return Rohingya Going to Myanmar is still a pipe dream.phosphorusTo do so, they need to secure their rights, including recognition of their citizenship and safe return home.
Although the camp now has better roads, more toilets and drinking water than when the emergency was initially at its height, People continue to live in overcrowded shelters, and no permanent structures are allowed. The fires have destroyed thousands of shelters and pose a constant threat to the safety of residents in the camps.Additionally, if The area is vulnerable to natural disastersMade of bamboo and plastic sheeting, these shelters are often damaged or destroyed by high winds, heavy rains and landslides.
Funding decreases year by year
Although Access to food, water and medical care depends entirely on international humanitarian assistancein the past two years, The international community’s commitment to UN humanitarian funding appeals has been weakening. D.About 70% coverage in 2021, 60% in 2022, and about 30% so far in 2023 (2). March, WFP rations cut From the equivalent of $12 per person per month to just $10, then down to just $8 in June.
“Life in the countryside is very difficult. If you want to buy rice, you can’t buy oil. If you buy oil, you can’t buy enough rice. Food rationing has also changed in the last month. People no longer get full rations. We did not receive enough food. We also don’t get the amount of water we need to drink,” it states Noyumrefugees Rohingya.
Hospitals and health centers are overcrowded
Unhealthy living conditions lead to the emergence and increase of health problems. Dengue cases increased tenfold in the last year Largest weekly increase in cholera cases since 2017 compared to previous year and early 2023. 40% of people living in the fields suffer from scabies. This figure far exceeds the 10% threshold recommended by the World Health Organization for the initiation of mass medication for scabies outbreaks.
“Before returning to the field Rohingya from Bangladesh, I don’t think things are any worse than what I saw in 2017. I remember when we treated gunshot wounds, burn victims, and patients affected by outbreaks of various diseases. The scene is heartbreaking. Hearing the stories of people who had just lost their homes and moved into overcrowded camps with nothing but bamboo and tarps on their heads left a lasting impression and one I will never forget. but now, Six years later, these men face Unprecedented set of problems. one: The world’s largest scabies outbreakanyone. More than 400,000 Rohingya already infected with the disease. two: reduce international aid.and three: a Water and sanitation services are totally unacceptable“, make sure Allen JaganGeneral Coordinator of Refugee Camps, Doctors Without Borders Rohingya.
team MSF sees problems facing hospitals and health centers Depends on international financing And the enormous difficulties faced by the organizations responsible for maintaining proper sanitary conditions in the fields.
This situation already means In the past two years, the pressure has been increasing Services provided by Doctors Without Borderswe are one of the leading healthcare providers in this field. We have reached the limits of our capabilities in several ways We have been forced to change the admission criteria of our medical centers to meet the enormous medical needs of the patients who come to our facility.
Since leaving, Our team treats patients suffering from difficult living conditions in refugee camps: Infectious diseases, respiratory, intestinal and skin infections. But over the years, They’ve also been watching a Growing need to treat patients with chronic diseases as Diabetes, high blood pressure, or hepatitis C, mainly related to the patient’s lack of access to the health care they already have Rohingya in Myanmar.
Increase the number of patients visiting our “mountain hospital” outpatient clinic by 50% by 2022.this This situation is closely related to the closure of several health centers in the region last year. Whether in this hospital or in Our Women’s and Children’s Hospital Goyamara, Unusually High Growth in Pediatric Hospital Admissions January-June 2023 Compared with the same period last year. In July, when the traditional annual peak in medical demand begins, The pediatric area is at maximum capacity.
Although we at MSF have not been directly affected by the funding crisis because the work we do is largely done with private funds, Increased patient visits and hospital admissions create enormous pressure About our human resources Bring various problems to hospital bed management and drug supplys.
As far as pediatrics is concerned, medical demand is expected to increase further in the coming weeks, MSF installs new temporary beds to accommodate more patients In the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital Goyamara.
Even so, since last year, our MSF team has Having to admit more and more pediatric patients to the “hospital on the hill”, Under normal circumstances, it only serves adult patients.this needs Hospitals add beds, putting pressure on other departments. despite this, MSF is concerned that the increase in beds will not be enough to meet all needs, even in the short term.
“Now is not the time to reduce funding. Taking money from this crisis and giving away is a very dangerous game. Diplomatic effort needed to ease restrictions on U.S. Rohingya and allow free circulation. How long will they have to wait for their rights to be recognized? You talk to the people here, and no one can hide the desperation they feel. How can a person survive on $8 a month to eat and at the same time be told they can’t work or get a proper education? In short, include Rohingya Staying in refugee camps indefinitely with dwindling funds is neither a coherent humanitarian strategy nor appropriate for a civilized world to be proud of. “, in conclusion Allen Jagan.
Although the population Rohingya People living in refugee camps in Bangladesh remain confined and caught in a cycle of dependence on humanitarian aid, International donors must substantially increase their financial contributions.
This is the only way to ensure they receive adequate support and services and prevent further irreversible consequences for their physical and mental health.
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(1) this Rohingya They are the world’s largest stateless population and one of the most persecuted minorities. Since being stripped of their citizenship in Myanmar in 1982, they have been subjected to cycles of extreme selective violence and face restrictions in all areas of life, including freedom of movement, lack of access to the labor market, lack of access to formal education and lack of opportunity . healthcare.
(2) Source: FTS OCHA: https://fts.unocha.org/appeals/1082/summary