The IRC generates robust evidence across crisis-affected contexts that is based on, and contributes to, an existing body of knowledge; fills critical gaps in our understanding; and can inform decision-making and be translated into action. This document summarizes the IRC’s ongoing and completed research studies. The research presented here is organized by outcome area, with each study listed only once. However, many studies are crosscutting and could apply to more than one outcome.

In 2017, atrocities by the Myanmar military drove over 850,000 Rohingya across the border into Bangladesh, where they continue to live in temporary settlements today. Over the past four years, as conditions inside the refugee camps have deteriorated, the host community in Teknaf and Ukhiya—who generously welcomed refugees in 2017—have seemingly grown wary of their protracted presence. Intensifying environmental, economic and social impacts linked to continued Rohingya displacement have raised tensions, and studies since 2019 have documented declining social cohesion between refugee and host communities. 

This study, undertaken by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), in collaboration with researchers at Dhaka University (DU), assesses the challenges and opportunities to social cohesion in the Rohingya context. The report maps out social tension across five issue areas: environment and ecology; labour market; cultural and political landscape; land; and the presence of the humanitarian community.

The steps to contain COVID-19 should be designed locally, particularly in crisis settings, to avoid exacerbating humanitarian suffering. Read IRC recommendations.