As Bangladesh approaches its forthcoming general elections, the protracted Rohingya refugee crisis has once again emerged as a significant humanitarian and political issue.

Bordering Myanmar, Bangladesh currently hosts approximately 1.2 million Rohingya refugees — the largest concentration of forcibly displaced Rohingya population in Asia. The vast majority reside in camps in Cox’s Bazar district, placing sustained pressure on local resources and humanitarian systems.

Statelessness and Forced Displacement

The Rohingya, a Muslim minority from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, have faced decades of systematic discrimination and denial of citizenship in Myanmar, rendering them stateless and deprived of fundamental rights.

Significant waves of Rohingya refugees entered Bangladesh during military operations in the 1970s and 1990s. However, the most dramatic influx occurred in August 2017, when the Myanmar military launched a sweeping crackdown in Rakhine State. Entire villages were burned, and more than 750,000 Rohingya — nearly half of them children — fled to Bangladesh within weeks.

Most refugees are now sheltered in the Kutupalong and Nayapara camps in Cox’s Bazar, forming one of the world’s largest refugee settlements. Women and children account for more than 75 percent of the camp population, while approximately 95 percent of households depend entirely on humanitarian assistance for food, shelter, and basic services.

Bangladesh’s Humanitarian Response

Despite not being a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Bangladesh has continued to host and support Rohingya refugees for more than five years. The government allocates an estimated $1.2 billion annually for refugee assistance.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina previously stated that Bangladesh had the capacity to feed both its 160 million citizens and the displaced Rohingya population, emphasizing the country’s humanitarian commitment.

Bangladesh’s own history of displacement during the 1971 Liberation War — when nearly 10 million people fled to India — has shaped its approach to the refugee crisis.

Regional Displacement and Dangerous Sea Routes

The crisis extends beyond Bangladesh. By 2025, Myanmar’s total internally displaced population exceeded 3.5 million, including 1.3 million displaced since February 2021.

More than one million Rohingya remain in Bangladesh, while others undertake perilous sea journeys to countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. These maritime routes are considered among the world’s deadliest migration corridors. Approximately 110,000 Rohingya refugees have reached Malaysia and over 23,000 have sought refuge in India.

Environmental and Infrastructure Strain

To accommodate the massive influx, more than 6,800 acres of forest land in Cox’s Bazar have been cleared for camp construction, significantly impacting the local ecosystem.

Since 2021, the government has sought to ease overcrowding across 33 camps by relocating nearly 30,000 refugees to Bhasan Char, a remote island in the Bay of Bengal. Authorities plan to resettle up to 100,000 refugees there.

Bangladesh reports spending over $350 million to develop housing, embankments, cyclone shelters, healthcare, and food distribution systems on the island. However, concerns persist regarding infrastructure limitations, vulnerability to cyclones and flooding, and the long-term sustainability of humanitarian operations.

International Engagement

Bangladesh continues to work with international partners, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, as well as regional powers such as China and India, to seek durable solutions.

As election campaigning intensifies, the Rohingya crisis remains a defining humanitarian challenge for Bangladesh, underscoring the need for sustained international cooperation and a long-term political resolution in Myanmar.

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