Art. 129, page 2 of 3 Barua and Karia: Challenges Faced by Rohingya Refugees in the COVID-19 Pandemic The literacy level of the Rohingya population is very low. Despite being educated by the various aid agencies, they are not able to maintain basic personal hygiene as they have limited access to soaps and water. Handwashing and use of facemasks is not a common practice among this high-risk group of population [5]. Besides, many of them are not aware of the novel virus and its consequences. Humanitarian organizations are facing difficulty spreading information regarding COVID-19 due to the internet ban enforced by the GoB since September 2019, limiting access to mobile data and communications in the refugee camps [6]. This blackout has prevented the dissemination of vital information and delivery of updated knowledge on COVID-19 inside the camps, eventually leading to the spread of misinformation and misinterpretation of facts. Community health workers find it difficult to receive information in the camps regarding any individual suffering from COVID-19 like symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue, dyspnoea, which form the basic protocol for suspecting and testing an individual for COVID-19 and conveying this information to the concerned authorities. Rumours have been rife among the refugee population regarding COVID-19. Refugees fear being abducted or even killed while being taken to isolation centres [7]. These rumours have prevented many refugees from seeking healthcare despite suffering possibly from COVID-19 symptoms. Turnover in healthcare facilities has dropped; and health authorities are concerned this might lead to the outbreak of other diseases, as patients avoid seeking treatment for their ailments. Rohingya camps are no stranger to outbreaks, having witnessed outbreaks of diphtheria, chickenpox, and measles in the past. In a telephonic survey conducted randomly among the host community and refugee population in Cox’s Bazar, 24.6% of 365 refugees reported having at least one symptom out of fever, dry cough, and fatigue – the three most common symptoms of COVID-19 reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Among the 120 refugees that sought treatment, 42.3% sought treatment at a pharmacy, followed by 35% by health information providers in camps [8]. Such a fearful and uncertain situation ought to have a debilitating impact on the mental health of an already traumatized and vulnerable population. Hence, WHO, in collaboration with the GoB has had to resort to educating the population on COVID-19 via community health workers, information service centres located in the camps, and announcements through loudspeakers and megaphones, all of which are laborious, time-consuming, and, most important, ineffective. Besides having limited access to health services, one major challenge faced by refugees is the lack of resources like medicines, face masks, and gloves. With the world economy struggling in the wake of the pandemic, it is feared that humanitarian organizations might face a shortage of funding and supplies. Face masks and gloves, already in short supply throughout the world, might be difficult to make available for the refugees. In a Lancet comment, WHO leaders had appealed for more attention to refugees and migrants, who are facing disruption of essential supplies of food, medicines, and aid workers in this ongoing pandemic [9]. As of 12th July 2020, seven active severe acute respiratory illness isolation treatment centres (SARI ITCs) with 292 SARI and 108 isolation beds are ready to serve both Rohingya refugees and host communities. However, only ten Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and eight High Dependency Unit (HDU) beds are available. A total 981 tests have been conducted in Rohingya refugees, which have led to 57 confirmed COVID-19 cases and five deaths among the refugee population [10]. However, there may be a possibility of a large number of cases being undetected in the camps due to limited testing capacities and lack of social distancing measures in the camp. Given the above, the vulnerable refugee population continues to be at highest risk for exposure to COVID19. The present infrastructure of the camps is unsuitable for maintaining “social distance” and the lack of hygiene practice among the population does not help in stopping this virus. Besides, the low level of literacy and lack of awareness among the population makes these camps a potential breeding ground for COVID-19 transmission. All in all, we await the mini-pandemic within the refugee camps, not limited to Cox’s Bazar, but across all parts of the world. Competing Interests The authors have no competing interests to declare. 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