PREFACE August 2020 Three years on from the events that culminated in the mass displacement of Rohingya from Myanmar, there is increasing attention to the need for sustainable solutions for the nearly one million refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. As long as the safe, just, and dignified conditions required for refugees to repatriate to their native Myanmar go unmet, the Rohingya issue will remain a pressing regional concern. The lack of resolution not only creates frustration for the Rohingya enduring displacement, but continues to challenge state and non-state actors globally. Amongst responding states, Bangladesh shoulders the greatest responsibility of all. Here, the needs of the displaced are addressed by a number of government and non-government responders, as well as by members of the host communities situated adjacent to the camps—many of whom have had their own livelihoods negatively affected as a result of the arrival of the refugees. Despite these sacrifices, it appears likely that Bangladesh will continue to be tasked with ensuring the well-being of Rohingya families in the near term. Contending with the refugee burden is no easy task for Bangladesh, given its own development challenges. But in the spirit of compassion and respect for human dignity, Bangladesh will confidently continue to meet the humanitarian needs of the Rohingya. The Navigating at the Margins study, conducted in late 2019, presciently highlights the precarious conditions endured by Rohingya families living in the camps of Cox’s Bazar. Through household survey and interview data the report reveals the extent of family separation and displacement, and the day-to-day challenges refugees face in meeting basic needs, finding employment, and remaining in contact with relatives in Myanmar and elsewhere. The study has benefited from the support of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office as well as camp officials in bringing this report to fruition. In addition, Rohingya themselves have played an important role in highlighting the needs of refugee families. Continued engagement with Rohingya, Bangladeshi and international stakeholders remains vital for understanding and addressing the impacts that results from the displacement of Rohingya from Myanmar. As with most countries, Bangladesh continues to struggle to limit the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. For Rohingya refugees, the pandemic exacerbates the severity of their existing vulnerabilities in ways that are still coming into focus. This in turn raises the risk that people will resort to harmful coping mechanisms as identified by the research team, such as, boat trafficking and its inhuman consequences. In the pandemic’s wake, there is an even greater need for policy approaches to support Rohingya families. This study and its recommendations address this need by guiding the focus of policymakers and humanitarians toward areas where tangible improvements can be made to the lives of the refugees while they await repatriation. We also hope that this report will contribute to both international and local efforts to resolve the multifaceted challenges affecting Rohingya. Manzoor Hasan OBE Executive Director Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University Kazi Faisal bin Seraj Bangladesh Country Representative The Asia Foundation 5