More and more young people are joining criminal gangs in the refugee camps in Bangladesh. While they are exposed to human trafficking, child labour, forced marriages and rapidly increasing violence, the available aid funds are drastically decreasing. The leading Swiss children's aid organisation Terre des hommes is raising the alarm about the desperate situation of children and youth.
In the world's largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, many issues are on the rise - poverty, violence, crime, cases of child marriages, child labour and human trafficking - but not the available international funds to counteract them. The resulting persistent lack of prospects particularly affects children and young people, who make up more than half of the population in the camps for Rohingya refugees. Terre des hommes (Tdh) is deeply concerned about their situation.
Not a safe place for children
The refugees can neither return to their country of origin nor are they integrated into Bangladeshi society. Lack of education and opportunities to earn a living lead many children to join criminal gangs. Drug abuse among children and adolescents is on the rise. Furthermore, there is a risk that they will become victims of human trafficking if they try to escape.
"The camps are not a safe place for children. The poor security conditions have an extremely negative impact on their psychological well-being," stresses Martin Swinchatt, country representative of Tdh Bangladesh.
In addition, Bangladesh is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to its geographical location. The camps are located in the south of the country, which is often affected by cyclones and floods.
Humanitarian organisations withdraw
The World Food Programme (WFP) was forced to cut monthly food rations to $8 per person on 1 June, following a reduction from $12 to $10 per person in March. Of the Joint Response Plan 2023 involving 116 national and international NGOs, only a quarter of the planned 876 million dollars had been funded by May this year. More and more NGOs are limiting their programmes or withdrawing completely from the camps.
Consequently, Tdh was also forced to discontinue an important conflict mediation programme between the refugee and host communities. However, the organisation remains active with health and child protection programmes as well as water and sanitation services on site, where children and their families are one hundred percent dependent on humanitarian aid for food, shelter and access to medical care.
"The basic human rights of these children and young people are at risk every day. This is simply unacceptable," says Martin Swinchatt.
Photo: ©Tdh/Angélique Bühlmann