POLICY PAPER
BEYOND RELIEF:
SECURING LIVELIHOODS AND AGENCY
FOR ROHINGYA REFUGEES IN BANGLADESH
INTRODUCTION
Several waves of displacement and migration since 1990 have resulted in the splintering of many Rohingya families, who
live indefinitely separated across Myanmar, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and other countries. Meanwhile, refugees in Bangladesh
endure the hardships of camp life while awaiting sustainable solutions to the crisis. A study by The Asia Foundation and the
Centre for Peace and Justice, Brac University, explores mobility, hardship, and livelihoods among refugee families living in
the camps of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. This briefing note summarizes the study’s main findings on the prevalence of family
separation, transnational support networks, remittances, debt, income sources, and needs.
The findings challenge the representation of refugees as
passive recipients of aid. Faced with economic pressures
that create a demand for income, camp residents pursue a
range of strategies to meet the needs of their households.
For those with relatives abroad, remittances are often
an important source of support. Others accrue debt, sell
rations, compete for limited work opportunities, or engage
in riskier activities to supplement aid. Understanding these
strategies better is important for future interventions.
The research indicates that non-aid resources represent
a crucial safety net for camp households, highlighting
the need for more systematic and sustainable livelihood
solutions.
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Ex
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2W RC
2E
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Ukhia
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8W
18 10
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Buthitaung
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MYANMAR
Maungdaw
Chakmarkul
BANGLADESH
Unchiprang
Shamlapur
Naf Rive
My 14-year-old daughter and 18-year-old son got lost
from us on the way to Bangladesh. They are staying
alone in our house, unaccompanied. It is very hard for
them to survive, as we parents are here in Bangladesh.
I work in a religious school as a teacher, and I earn
around 4000 taka per month. I send some to them
in Myanmar —a very small amount, maybe 1000 to
2000 taka. They are living on that.
Locations of refugee camps in Bangladesh
r
- Rohingya father, age 52
A religion teacher from Maungdaw, living in Camp 10
Bay of Bengal
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RC
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