as a result of the violence, displacement, and systemic oppression. Stories of collective suffering
become more apparent and disturbing in mass displacement. For instance, in recent episodes of
conflict in 2024, it has been reported that 100,000 people in Rakhine were displaced by violence
that has ultimately led to social suffering at a larger scale. One such person affected by this latest
form of violence is Madulla (Name changed) who narrates that losing home, village, and way of
life has had a devastating effect on him. He mentions that, “I once had a home, a livelihood as a
fisherman, and a sense of security. Now, I live as a refugee in a foreign land displaced far away
from my own place, land, neighborhoods and brotherhood. The absence of peace and dignity in
my life often leaves me feeling helpless and hopeless.” Similarly, Mohammad Islam also admits
that being displaced and separated from his family has been emotionally devastating. He often
reflects on the pain of leaving loved ones and the friendships behind. Displacement has not only
physically uprooted him but has also emotionally isolated him from those he holds dearest. Had
he not been forced to flee, he narrates that he would have continued to live among relatives and
friends, pursuing a simple life with dignity.
Almost every testimony contains a moment of grieving for home and their families. For many,
their villages and members were not simply places and numbers, but, they were entire worlds for
them. The loss of familiar landscapes, languages, and community is disturbing. All the
testimonies disclosed that they had their own places of living; now they live without shelter and
food. The testimonies also reflect the psychological pain and loss of identity; many have no
citizenship, no legal documentation, and no right to return. “We have lost our village, our
property, our children's dreams,” says one survivor. The weight of these losses is incalculable and
often results in generational despair. The testimonies also reveal that displacement and loss of
homeland has resulted into a deep emotional pain. That is why the testimonies collectively
testified that the most difficult aspect of displacement is being unable to see their village, town,
and neighbourhoods. For example, they deeply miss their social gatherings and events,
particularly when fellow villagers celebrate their cultural traditions together, such as celebrating
Eid and visiting relatives. Losing his homeland has left Alom feeling as though he has lost
everything. He describes it as feeling like death itself, having no home, no property, no known
faces, and no means of getting back into shared, celebrated traditions and customs. The hardest
part of this loss is the uncertainty about the future and also knowing that there are very few
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