Q.9. Throw light on Rohingya refugee in South Asia.

The Rohingya refugee crisis is one of the most pressing humanitarian issues in South Asia. Originating from the Rakhine State in Myanmar, the Rohingya people have faced severe persecution and violence, leading to a mass exodus primarily to Bangladesh, and to a lesser extent, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Here are some key points about the Rohingya refugee situation in South Asia:

• Statelessness: The Rohingya are often described as stateless, as Myanmar does not recognize them as citizens. This lack of legal status has made it difficult for them to access basic rights and services.

• Mass Displacement: Since August 2017, over 700,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh, joining hundreds of thousands already in refugee camps, creating the world’s largest refugee settlement.

• Humanitarian Crisis: The refugees rely entirely on humanitarian aid for survival, living in overcrowded camps with limited access to food, clean water, healthcare, and education.

• Vulnerable Children: A significant portion of the refugee population is made up of children, many of whom were born in camps and face malnutrition, disease, and lack of educational opportunities.

• Regional Security: The crisis poses a threat to regional peace and security, as the large stateless population could potentially destabilize the region.

• International Response: Efforts to address the crisis have been international, with countries like Bangladesh taking in the majority of refugees and organizations like UNICEF providing critical support.

The future of the Rohingya remains uncertain, with little progress on their repatriation to Myanmar or integration into host countries. The international community continues to grapple with finding a long-term solution to this complex crisis.