0.5m Rohingya children at risk: UNICEF

Rohingya refugee children are likely to be put at greater risk ahead of upcoming cyclone and monsoon seasons, UNICE warned on Tuesday.

The global body referred to the health and safety of more than 520,000 Rohingya children living in overcrowded camps and informal settlements in Bangladesh.

UNICEF said overcrowding in refugee camps could lead to devastating disease outbreaks, displacement and death.

“As we get closer to the cyclone and monsoon seasons, what is already a dire humanitarian situation risks becoming a catastrophe,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF representative in Bangladesh.

“Hundreds of thousands of children are already living in horrific conditions, and they will face an even greater risk of disease, flooding, landslides and further displacement.”

Beigbeder pointed out that unsafe water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene conditions could lead to cholera outbreaks and to Hepatitis E, a deadly disease for pregnant women and their babies. “Standing water pools can attract malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Keeping children safe from disease must be an absolute priority,” he added.

More than 4,000 suspected cases of diphtheria have been reported among the refugee population, with 32 deaths including at least 24 children.

UNICEF and partners have launched a diphtheria vaccination campaign, and are working to provide children and families with access to safe water and sanitation facilities.

However, UNICEAF said, overcrowding and the growing risk of extreme weather increases the risk of further outbreaks.

Tropical cyclones generally strike Bangladesh in two seasons - March through July and September through December.

UNICEF mentioned that in May last year, cyclone Mora barreled through the region, destroying approximately one quarter of the makeshift shelters in Rohingya refugee camps and causing widespread damage.

Bangladesh has generously taken in more than 650,000 Rohingya refugees since 25 August already and has been working with UNICEF to deliver life-saving support to the most recent and previous influxes of Rohingya refugees as well the host community in Cox’s Bazar.