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Article by Mallaika Thapar | October 7, 2024 | Global Rights Defenders
The Rohingya refugee crisis, one of the most complex humanitarian challenges in modern times, has drawn global attention since the mass displacement of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar to Bangladesh in 2017. Fleeing persecution, around one million Rohingya refugees now reside in the world’s largest refugee settlement in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.[1] As the crisis extends into its seventh year, temporary solutions are proving inadequate, leaving thousands in dire need of long-term strategies for survival, dignity, and self-reliance.[2] Sustainable change, rooted in economic empowerment, and vocational training, is paramount. However, addressing these needs demands not only the involvement of the Bangladeshi government but also robust international collaboration, including regional and global contributions, and the engagement of humanitarian organizations.
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING: KEY TO SELF-RELIANCE
Cox’s Bazar, a coastal town in Bangladesh, has become synonymous with the Rohingya crisis due to the sprawling refugee camps on its outskirts. The camp, while a haven for refugees escaping violence, faces tremendous challenges. From overcrowded shelters, limited sanitation facilities, and inadequate health services to restricted movement, the refugees experience a precarious existence dependent largely on external aid.[3] This has created an urgent need to explore ways to foster greater self-reliance among the Rohingya, enabling them to secure a more dignified existence in the interim.
A major step toward improving self-reliance in the camps lies in creating opportunities for economic empowerment. One major barrier is the legal restriction on employment. The Bangladeshi government has not provided formal work permits to Rohingya refugees, citing concerns about competition with local workers and the temporary nature of refugee status.[4] As a result, refugees are limited to informal, often exploitative work that provides little income or security. To address this, advocacy for policies allowing refugees to work in select sectors could help refugees earn a sustainable income while contributing to the local economy.[5]
Another significant challenge is limited access to markets and financial capital. Even with vocational skills, refugees often struggle to access external markets or obtain the financial resources needed to start businesses. The remote location of Cox’s Bazar further exacerbates this problem.[6] One solution is the creation of cooperative economic structures, where refugees can pool resources and produce goods collectively.[7] Additionally, NGOs and international organizations could offer micro-financing or create digital marketplaces for refugee-made products, bridging the gap between skill acquisition and market integration.[8]
Vocational training programs are an important tool in equipping refugees with marketable skills that would benefit both their immediate community and future prospects for resettlement or repatriation.[9] However, the implementation of these tools faces certain challenges. The lack of diversity in vocational training programs is one such problem. Many programs focus on traditional skills like tailoring and carpentry, which may not align with modern job market demands or provide high-income potential.[10] This can lead to market saturation within the camps, reducing profitability. To overcome this, vocational training should be expanded to include modern and diverse skills like digital literacy, renewable energy, and technology. Collaboration with tech companies and local businesses could open new employment avenues, preparing refugees for future economies both inside and outside the camps.[11]
Gender disparities pose another challenge, as women are often excluded from economic programs due to cultural norms, safety concerns, and limited access to resources. Fewer women participate in training or income-generating activities, limiting their economic potential.[12] Gender-sensitive programming that offers flexible hours, safe spaces for work, and childcare can encourage more women to participate.[13] Programs focused on healthcare or education could also provide income while addressing broader community needs. Finally, the sustainability and scalability of training programs are concerns. Many vocational initiatives depend on short-term NGO funding, which may not be sustainable. To ensure long-term success, these programs should be integrated into broader development plans, with sustained funding and collaboration with local institutions.[14] Multi-year donor commitments and partnerships with businesses could help scale programs, ensuring that the skills refugees learn remain relevant and economically viable.[15]
While this is an important step forward, scaling these efforts requires additional support from the international community. Financial backing from neighbouring regional powers like India must play a significant role. However, extending aid beyond immediate humanitarian assistance to vocational and economic empowerment programs would significantly enhance the self-reliance of the refugee population.
REGIONAL AND GLOBAL COOPERATION: PATHWAY TO SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
While local efforts are essential, the broader diplomatic and political context also needs to be addressed. The Rohingya crisis is a regional problem that requires a regional solution, with cooperation among neighboring countries being critical. To improve the protection of Rohingya refugees in camps, the Bangladesh government should focus on capacity-building for educators, and support community-based learning. Allowing school buildings and facilitating higher education through scholarships and online platforms would significantly enhance educational opportunities for Rohingya refugees.[16] Livelihood programs should also be expanded under the new skills development framework. The government must raise stipend limits for Rohingya volunteers, create more livelihood opportunities in the camps, and collaborate with regional governments to provide temporary work opportunities.[17]
India, as a regional power with both political and economic stakes in Myanmar and Bangladesh, also has a particularly significant role to play. The country should adopt a legal framework to ensure Rohingya refugees have access to protection, addressing the current legal vacuum where they are classified as "foreigners" alongside undocumented migrants. This lack of recognition denies them access to asylum, documentation, and essential services, further marginalizing these groups.[18] The government should also collaborate with local NGOs to expand vocational training programs, focusing on diverse and modern skills like digital literacy, tailoring, carpentry, and renewable energy. Such skills would equip refugees with the ability to earn sustainable incomes, both within the camps and in future resettlement scenarios. Additionally, India could facilitate micro-financing schemes or create public-private partnerships to help refugees start small businesses, ensuring access to capital and promoting entrepreneurship. Through diplomatic channels, India could also work with Bangladesh to advocate for legal reforms that allow refugees to work in certain sectors, reducing their dependency on humanitarian aid.[19]
At the global level, international organizations like the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have played a crucial role in securing humanitarian aid and coordinating responses to the refugee crisis. Yet, the international community must do more to ensure sustained funding for long-term programs, rather than relying on emergency response mechanisms.
HOW YOU CAN #HELPFROMHOME
The crisis in Cox’s Bazar is not just a local or national issue; it is a humanitarian challenge that calls for global solidarity and comprehensive solutions. The path to sustainable change lies in empowering the Rohingya to take control of their futures. To turn the tide in favor of sustainable change, the global community must commit to long-term solutions that respect the dignity and rights of refugees, while ensuring that regional and global cooperation supports these efforts. Only then can we hope to create opportunities for sustainable and humane change in the Rohingya refugee camps, paving the way for a better future for one of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Raise Awareness: Many people remain unaware of the Rohingya crisis and the dire conditions in Cox’s Bazar. By sharing information on social media, writing articles, or organizing discussions in your community, you can help amplify the voices of Rohingya refugees and bring attention to their needs. Awareness can lead to more significant pressure on policymakers to take action.
Engage in Ethical Consumerism: Some programs in Cox’s Bazar focus on enabling refugees to create and sell products like textiles or handmade goods. Supporting refugee-made products through ethical purchasing is a direct way to contribute to economic empowerment.
Support Organizations Working on the Ground: Numerous NGOs and international organizations like BRAC, UNHCR, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are providing vital services to Rohingya refugees. Everyday people can support their efforts by donating to these organizations, volunteering if possible, or organizing fundraising initiatives within their networks.
REFERENCES
[1] United Nations Population Fund. (2024, July 31). Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. United Nations Population Fund. https://www.unfpa.org/coxs-bazar-bangladesh#:~:text=Cox’s%20Bazar%2C%20Bangladesh-,Cox’s%20Bazar%2C%20Bangladesh,of%20them%20women%20and%20girls.
[2] Ibid
[3] UNHCR . (2024, August 22). Rohingya refugee crisis explained. USA for UNHCR The UN Refugee Agency . https://www.unrefugees.org/news/rohingya-refugee-crisis-explained/
[4] Sullivan, D. P. (2022). (rep.). Hope amid Despair: Finding Solutions for Rohingya in Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://www.refugeesinternational.org/reports-briefs/hope-amid-despair-finding-solutions-for-rohingya-in-bangladesh/.
[5] Ibid pp. 15-16
[6] International Organization for Migration (IOM). (2022). (rep.). ROHINGYA HUMANITARIAN CRISIS . Retrieved from https://www.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl486/files/situation_reports/file/IOM-Appeal-Rohingya-Humanitarian-Crisis-Response.pdf.
[7] Ibid
[8] Sullivan, D. P. (2022). (rep.). Hope amid Despair: Finding Solutions for Rohingya in Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://www.refugeesinternational.org/reports-briefs/hope-amid-despair-finding-solutions-for-rohingya-in-bangladesh/.
[9] Ibid
[10] Sullivan, D. P. (2022). (rep.). Hope amid Despair: Finding Solutions for Rohingya in Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://www.refugeesinternational.org/reports-briefs/hope-amid-despair-finding-solutions-for-rohingya-in-bangladesh/.
[11] CMS. (n.d.). Innovative Approaches to Vocational Education for Sustainable Livelihoods. https://cms.org.in/blogs/innovative-approaches-to-vocational-education-for-sustainable-livelihoods
[12] Guglielmi, S., Seager, J., Mitu, K., & Jones, N. (2024). (rep.). Education, skills development, and employment for Rohingya young people living in Bangladesh. Gender and Adolescence Global Evidence (GAGE). Retrieved from https://www.gage.odi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bangladesh-Education-Midline-2024-WEB33.pdf.
[13] Ibid
[14] CMS. (n.d.). Innovative Approaches to Vocational Education for Sustainable Livelihoods. https://cms.org.in/blogs/innovative-approaches-to-vocational-education-for-sustainable-livelihoods
[15] Ibid
[16] Sullivan, D. P. (2022). (rep.). Hope amid Despair: Finding Solutions for Rohingya in Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://www.refugeesinternational.org/reports-briefs/hope-amid-despair-finding-solutions-for-rohingya-in-bangladesh/.
[17] Ibid
[18] Rohingya Human Rights Initiative. (n.d.). Addressing the issues of Rohingya detention and human rights violations in India at G20. Rohingya Human Rights Initiative. https://www.rohringya.org/work/addressing-the-issues-of-rohingya-detention-and-human-rights-violations-in-india-at-g20.html
[19] Ibid
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