Race Against Time 🇧🇩

01/12/18 05:11

May 2018: Facing the Monsoon Season in Cox’s Bazar

In May 2018, I found myself once again in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh—a place that has become all too familiar over the years. With the arrival of the monsoon rains, the challenges faced by the Rohingya refugees took on an even graver dimension. While rainfall is often a blessing for farmers in many parts of Bangladesh, here in the refugee camps, it was nothing short of a curse.

Cox’s Bazar is home to the largest refugee camp in the world, often referred to as the ‘Megacamp of Kutupalong,’ where an estimated 600,000 refugees reside. The surrounding areas are dotted with smaller camps, bringing the total refugee population in this tiny region to nearly 1 million people—a staggering number that presents immense challenges for both the refugees and the humanitarian organisations supporting them.

Despite the unwavering hospitality of the Bangladeshi people, who continue to welcome their guests with open arms and endless generosity, nature is far less kind. The camps are precariously located among steep, sandy hills—land completely unsuitable for large-scale habitation. As the heavy rains set in, the risks became frighteningly real. Landslides threatened to bury homes, and flooding posed a grave threat to the fragile shelters dotting the landscape. The overcrowded living conditions, coupled with poor sanitation infrastructure, only exacerbated the situation.

The Looming Health Crisis

With the arrival of the monsoons, the health risks skyrocketed. The fear of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis A, loomed over the camps, and the dense population only heightened the chances of outbreaks. Stagnant water became a breeding ground for mosquitoes, leading to concerns about a rise in malaria and dengue fever. The inadequate sanitation facilities and limited access to clean water put an unbearable strain on the already vulnerable population.

Logistical Nightmares

Another major challenge posed by the monsoon season was the logistical complications. The heavy rains turned the narrow, muddy roads leading to the camps into impassable quagmires, making it difficult—if not impossible—to transport food, medicines, and other essential supplies. Aid workers struggled to navigate the terrain, and the constant threat of landslides only added to the risks involved in delivering aid.

The Race Against Time

The humanitarian community was locked in a relentless battle against time. Efforts were underway to mitigate the impact of the inevitable disaster—refugees and aid agencies worked tirelessly to reinforce shelters, stabilise hillsides, and construct drainage systems to channel the floodwaters away from critical areas. Efforts were also focused on building flood protection barriers, strengthening roads, relocating the most vulnerable families to safer ground, and pre-positioning medical supplies to respond to potential outbreaks.

Mass vaccination campaigns were conducted to protect as many people as possible, while makeshift latrines were reinforced in an attempt to prevent the contamination of water sources. However, despite these efforts, it was painfully clear that time was not on our side. The scale of the challenges was simply overwhelming, and no matter how much was done, the reality was that the camps would not be fully prepared for the impending rains.

Hope Amidst Hardship

Despite the daunting challenges, there remained a sense of resilience and hope among the refugees and the aid workers supporting them. Seeing families reinforce their shelters with bamboo and plastic sheeting, watching volunteers work tirelessly to clear drainage paths, and witnessing the tireless commitment of the Bangladeshi host communities to their displaced neighbours was nothing short of inspiring.

While the struggles were immense, the beauty of human perseverance and solidarity shone through. Cox’s Bazar, despite all its hardships, remained a place of strength, courage, and hope.

Click here to access the album.

Picture galleries

Race Against Time 🇧🇩