5. ACCESS TO HEALTH INFORMATION AND SERVICES “ The internet ban in the camps makes it really difficult for us to organise and mobilise our youth groups to provide effective health information. It also makes it difficult for us to develop youth activities to contribute to Rohingya camp communities and have a say in our futures. ALI JINNAH HUSSEIN AND KHIN MAUNG Camp environments in Bangladesh and India are densely populated and overcrowded. There is often limited access to sanitation. Sometimes families occupy a single room, with water and washing facilities shared between many households. Social distancing, handwashing and following other virus prevention measures have proved difficult. Such conditions leave people vulnerable to the spread of the virus and have created environments of anxiety and fear in the face of COVID-19. In response to concerns about the spread of the corona virus in the camps of Bangladesh, the government has put in place important health measures, including making testing extensively available and providing quarantine facilities in the camps.18 In India, the state governments have been ordered to make sure Rohingya are not left without screenings.19 These are welcomed. More needs to be done at the community-level to ensure that these services are accessed more widely. place for over a year. They were first implemented by the Myanmar government as a response to the increased fighting between the Myanmar army and Arakan Army. In Bangladesh, restrictions on the use of smart phones and internet restrictions covering only the camp areas were first introduced in September 2019, purportedly as a “security measure”. These restrictions have hampered efforts to make public health information available to Rohingya households in Bangladesh and Myanmar. Restrictions have also lead to the spread of misinformation and rumours resulting in panic and fear.20 There are ongoing Rohingya-led campaigns to reinstate the internet during the time of the pandemic.21 Health and safety concerns relating to internet and mobile phone restrictions reach beyond COVID-19. Restrictions also impact Rohingya’s ability to report crime and domestic violence, and to communicate with family in Myanmar, including when needed to reach safety.22 The dissemination of public health information and virus prevention information in many settings has also been challenging. Since smart phone usage is extensive within Rohingya communities, the most effective way to provide accurate messaging and implement other prevention measures such as increased access to testing and contact tracing is through internet and mobile phone networks. However, internet blackouts remain in place in areas of Rakhine State, and in the camps of Bangladesh. In parts of Rakhine State, the restrictions have been in The lockdown in Bangladesh has further hampered efforts to disseminate accurate public health information. NGO staff have faced barriers in accessing the camps either in person or through mobile phone networks. Although some progress has been made, it has been difficult to coordinate up-to-date health information through trained health workers, and to organise communitylevel volunteers to provide doorstep up-to-date health information in Rohingya language. Information provided by Razia Sultana. Information provided by Ali Johar. 20 BROUK (2020) BROUK Responds to International Development Committee Report on the Rohingya [online] available at: https://www.brouk.org.uk/brouk-responds-tointernational-development-committee-report-on-rohingya/ 21 For more information see Sirazul Islam, 27/03/2020, The Diplomat: https://thediplomat.com/2020/03/a-rohingya-coronavirus-catastrophe-looms-if-their-internet-blackoutcontinues/ and Canadian Rohingya Development Initiative (2020) Joint Statement on Restrictions on Communication [online] available at: https://www.rohingya.ca/re-jointstatement/ 22 Information provided by Rohingya Youth Organisation. 18 19 13