Storm devastates Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh

By Md. Kamruzzaman

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - A sudden storm destroyed part of a shaky structure in Rohingya refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh on Monday, according to residents.

“We are in serious trouble,” said Ansar Ali, Rohingya leader of the Kutupalang camp in Cox's Bazar district. “Especially females are suffering dangerously as most of the toilets have been completely blown away.”

He said the storm also hit other camps including Balukhali and Palangkhali and destroyed sheds.

Ayesha Akter, a refugee living in Modhur Chara of Kutupalang camp, told Anadolu Agency residents are now forced to stand under the open sky.

“Please construct our toilets immediately,” she said. “We are habituated to live under open sky without shelter but how can we live without toilet?”

Ziaul Haque of the Kutupalang camp told Anadolu Agency the season of stormy weather has just started. “If we face such situation now, what will be happened in future when bigger storm or cyclone will hit us?”

He urged the Bangladesh government and international aid agencies to construct shelters that can withstand the upcoming monsoon season, which usually sees huge storms, tornados, and hurricanes.

“Even thin tin-sheds used as fence and roof at some tents have also been blown up,” said refugee Osman Gani as he urged for immediate help.

Commissioner of the Rohingya Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC), Mohammed Abul Kalam Azad, however, told Anadolu Agency he was not properly informed about this calamity.

“We will look into the matter [Tuesday] early morning and recommend to the concerned authorities for urgent help,” he said.

- Persecuted people

The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.

According to Amnesty International, more than 750,000 Rohingya refugees, mostly women and children, have fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community in August 2017.

Since Aug. 25, 2017, nearly 24,000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed by Myanmar’s state forces, according to a report by the Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA).

More than 34,000 Rohingya were also thrown into fires, while over 114,000 others were beaten, said the OIDA report, titled "Forced Migration of Rohingya: The Untold Experience."

Some 18,000 Rohingya women and girls were raped by Myanmar’s army and police and over 115,000 Rohingya homes were burned down and 113,000 others vandalized, it added.

The UN has also documented mass gang rapes, killings – including of infants and young children – brutal beatings and disappearances committed by Myanmar state forces.

In a report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.