Rohingyas being exploited, TIB finds

Rohingyas seeking refuge in Bangladesh are being exploited by various means, graft watchdog Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said today.

TIB produced a situation analysis where they said Rohingya families have to pay Tk 2,000-5,000 to a local influential quarter to build shelters in Cox's Bazar.

Additionally, they are being exploited in currency exchange – receiving Tk 2,000-4,500 from local brokers instead of Tk 6,000 against every 100,000 Burmese Kyat.

Also, TIB found many Rohingya refugees in a confused state regarding biometric registration with several agencies discouraging them from registering at all.

The graft watchdog also observed that the refugee crisis is having a devastating consequence on the local environment. They cited the forest department to report that the Rohingyas are burning 100 tonnes of firewood everyday from the forest.

"The government has given a commendable effort in sheltering the refugees," said Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB. "The problem has been imposed on Bangladesh."

He recommended continuation of foreign assistance for supporting the refugee community and urged persisting diplomatic efforts to repatriate the Rohingyas to Myanmar.

The situational analysis was prepared by visiting majority of the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar and talking to the refugees, and many agencies and individuals working there.

According to the latest estimates, over 807,000 Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh to escape persecution in Myanmar since violence erupted on August 25.