Environmental Degradation, COVID-19, and Respiratory Health for Rohingya Refugees in Cox’s Bazaar

Abstract

The Rohingya minority has been the victim of forced migration by the Myanmar Government and had to leave Myanmar since 2017. Over 700,000 refugees fled to neighboring Bangladesh where they presently face an environmental and health crisis (UNHCR 2023). After the massive outbreak of Diphtheria and recently the COVID-19 pandemic, Rohingya refugees living in camps remain vulnerable to health issues particularly respiratory infections with children being the most at risk (Rahman and Islam 2019; Shammi et al. 2020). This study examines the connections between environmental and air degradation, with the living conditions of Rohingyas in refugee camps as it pertains to the spread of respiratory diseases. The data was collected using qualitative research methods through focus group discussions with Rohingyas in Bangladesh. The data was analyzed using a coding method that situated the findings into themes for explanatory purposes (Vaismoradi et al. 2013, 398–405). Findings indicate that the poor living conditions and arduous journey to Bangladesh caused many refugees to catch respiratory illnesses. This article argues that the squalid and densely populated living conditions coupled with the degradation of the natural environment need to be addressed to mitigate a health crisis.