Rohingya Needs Assessment
The Rohingya, a Muslim people group originating from Arakan State, Burma, are often referred to as one of the world’s most persecuted people. They are certainly one of the most forgotten.
All the ethnic nationalities in Burma suffer forced labour, rape and torture by the country’s military government. As well as this, the Rohingya are denied citizenship.
They have to get permission before marrying and a permit often takes years to secure. Their movement is restricted even from one village to the next which makes access to health and education difficult. They cannot be employed as teachers, health workers or civil servants.
400,000 Rohingyas are estimated to have fled to Bangladesh. But life in Bangladesh has its own difficulties. Only 28,000 Rohingya are recognised by UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) and live in two official camps.
Thousands more are unrecognised and live in Bangladeshi towns, villages or in makeshift camps where conditions are dire. In the makeshift camps they receive no rations, have no access to education and very limited access to health care.
Children on the Edge was invited to the border area to visit the makeshift camps to assess the children’s educational needs. The children in these camps cannot even access basic primary education.
Rohingya leaders are concerned that these children will grow up to become dissatisfied youth who cannot read or write. They are also concerned that with so few allies they may grow up to become radicalised by militant Islamic groups who prey on the vulnerable.
Children on the Edge is well placed to assess the needs of these vulnerable children. Since 2006 the charity has provided basic needs and educational programmes for stateless children from Burma living in Thailand, India and Malaysia.
More information about our work with the children of Burma.
