Outcast and Desperate: Rohingya refugee children face a perilous future

Since August 25, over half a million Rohingya have fled violence and persecution in Myanmar for refugee camps in Southern Bangladesh. Quoting UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake:  “In its full dimension, this is a humanitarian crisis. For each child, it is a catastrophe.” (page 4) About 60% of these refugees are children, many of which are unaccompanied or have been separated from their families.

However, the threat to the child’s safety does not end once they cross the border, many dangers exist within refugee camps too. Children and families in camps face exceptionally harsh conditions. They may be susceptible to disease, malnutrition, and predatory traffickers. This briefing covers details of the situation on the ground, and calls for action in four key areas to cope with the crisis.