Huge negative impact on host communities, environment
2,500 households fell below poverty line, 1,300 became vulnerable; 5,500 acres of reserved forest, 1,500 hectares of wildlife habitat severely damaged
UNB, Dhaka
The continuing stay of the Rohingya people in Coxs Bazar is having a hugely negative impact on local communities and the environment due to groundwater depletion, deforestation and degradation of social cohesion, a study has revealed. The report, made public yesterday, says about 2,500 households have fallen below the poverty line due the refugee influx, while another 1,300 have become vulnerable.
The headcount poverty rose by close to 2.7 percentage points in both Teknaf and Ukhiya, the reports indicates. The findings also show that the environment has been the biggest sufferer due to the refugee influx. About 5,500 acres of reserved forest worth $55 million have already been destroyed by the refugee camps and so have 1,500 hectares of wildlife habitat.
The water level has fallen by five to 15 metres because of the huge drinking water demand. The local people were initially sympathetic but now there is a growing feeling of discontent among them, the report notes.
The report was unveiled by the Policy Research Institute (PRI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at a workshop, titled The Rohingya Refugee Crisis and its Impact on the Host Community, at the BRAC Centre Inn in the capital. The event was chaired by PRI chairman Dr Zaidi Sattar.
Foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen was present as the chief guest, while Resident Representative of UNDP Sudipto Mukerjee delivered the opening remarks.
The synopsis of the report was presented by PRI research director Dr MA Razzaque.
Dhaka University professor of international relations Dr CR Abrar and executive director of Research Initiatives, Bangladesh, Dr Meghna Guhathakurta were present as panel discussants.
As per the PRI survey, prices of all essential food items have risen by up to 50 per cent since the refugees started arriving. Leakages of staples like rice and edible oil from the camps often depress their prices in local markets.
Falling wages due to the influx have negatively impacted day labourers. The road infrastructure has been badly damaged due to the
haulage of excess load. And public utilities like the health service are under stress.
However, the report also points to certain positive impacts of the crisis, resulting from the presence of international agencies and NGOs. They have mounted massive humanitarian efforts addressed towards the management of Rohingya refugees with complementary support to the local community.
A spending of at least YSD 200-300 million has been pumped into to economic activities in Coxs Bazar. Its annual GDP of USD 4 billion could get a 6 per cent boost each year while the crisis lasts, the report has observed.
The report says that, if Myanmar takes back 600 Rohingyas per day over 30 days, the repatriation will take around five years to complete, which is an optimistic repatriation rate, while the Rohingya population growth rate has been assumed as three per cent.
The PRI says that the expansion of social security programmes targeting the host community has been a right policy in the aftermath of the Rohingya crisis.
It has also recommended the strengthening of interventions needed for further livelihood support, environmental action, rainwater harvesting, sanitation and waste management, support to local agricultural production, improving educational activities, promoting social cohesion, and infrastructure development.
It says the Rohingya crisis should be seen as an opportunity to address issues that have confronted Coxs Bazar and Bandarban for a
long time, leaving them as backward districts in the country.
Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen said, The influx of Rohingyas has not only affected the bio-diversity of the area but is also having a huge impact on the local community.
If the Rohingyas stay for a longer period of time, it might create pockets of radicalisation that will ultimately affect this region, where many countries want to invest, he added.
Myanmar has created the problem and they have to take them back. Myanmar is a friendly country of Bangladesh. We want a peaceful solution to the crisis through dialogue, just as it had happened in 1992, when the Rohingyas were repatriated, he recalled.
We are hopeful of repatriation soon. Myanmar has repeatedly assured us but not a single Rohingya has returned so far. China and Japan are friends of Myanmar. They would tell Myanmar to resolve the crisis, the minister said.
Any longer stay of the Rohingyas would make matters difficult for Bangladesh. Huge pressure is now being exerted on Myanmar. Even Russia is now speaking for repatriation, he added.
Dr Zaidi Sattar said, The global community must keep up their pressure on the Myanmar government to take back the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh.
The displaced people must be repatriated to their homeland on condition that their return is safe, secure, and dignified. There are no two things about it, he maintained.
CR Abrar said Myanmar was not responding to the international call for repatriation of the Rohingya people and this was unacceptable. Myanmar should be held accountable for the crimes committed against the Rohingya people. Time has comethe International Criminal Court is being approaching now, he added.
IK
