Humanitarian need for Rohingya refugees and the host community in Cox’s Bazar, home to the world’s largest refugee camp, is daunting. While Bangladesh should be commended for its generosity in opening its borders to Rohingya refugees, accelerated efforts are required to support the over 1.2 million people in need of humanitarian and development assistance. Simultaneously, further pressure is needed from the international community and regional actors on the Government of Myanmar (GoM) to create conditions in Rakhine conducive to the safe, voluntary and sustainable return of the Rohingya. Building on new research from the International Rescue Committee on positive market conditions in Cox’s Bazar, this brief highlights the untapped potential of livelihoods programming to increase self-reliance and economic empowerment for affected communities. It concludes with recommendations to the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and key actors engaged with the crisis to support refugees and locals, and women in particular, to rebuild their lives and livelihoods and take back control of their future.

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.

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, comedian Jo Brand and singer, actor and refugee Yasmin Kadi have been shining a light on the little-known history of fish and chips.

One of President Trump's first executive orders, issued on Jan. 27, suspended the entire U.S. refugee resettlement programme and barred citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries from entry to the U.S. The order, issued to allow for a 120-day security review, was negated by an appeals court. Today, a new order was issued, which again, targets refugees like Samah and Mohammed.

The International Rescue Committee matches refugees who have settled in to life in the UK with newcomers who want to learn more.

Four young documentary filmmakers are attempting to shine a light on positive stories of resilience from the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan.

Download Diala Brisly's powerful illustration to share her work far and wide this World Refugee Day.

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