By- Siam Sarower Jamil,
Dhaka, June 17,
There is but little life to be seen in the Rohingya camp at Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya, even on Eid.
Most Rohingyas are disappointed as they do not have new clothes or provisions for the holy occasion, with some also upset that their Eid is unlike how they celebrated it back home.
Financially able Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya and Teknaf did their Eid shopping from marketplaces near their camps, but most Rohingyas are dismayed that they have had to leave many desired items out of their shopping list due to a lack of resources. Some were also worried they would not have sufficient space to perform their Eid prayers.
Balukhali camp resident Ayub said: “No NGOs or international organizations provided any extra support on Eid this year, leaving a lot of people disappointed. Most of the 2,500 Rohingyas in my camp block were unable to buy new clothes or vermicelli for their children.”
On the other hand, Abdur Rahman, a resident of the same camp, said: “Eid? Back in Rakhine the army did not even let us perform our daily prayers in peace. We would always be terrified during Eid. We may not be completely happy here, but at least we are not living in fear.”
Kutupalong refugee camp resident Mariam said: “My husband was murdered by the Myanmar army. I am eking out a frugal existence with my four children. Let alone new clothes or vermicelli, I do not even have sugar to give my children.”
“Back in Rakhine, my husband used to work at other people’s houses to earn for Eid, but as that is not possible here, we are having trouble celebrating Eid the way we used to,” said Sobura Khatun, a resident of the same camp.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Kamal Hossain said to the Imphal Times, “The district administration has been giving Rohingyas every possible facility. WFP, UNHCR, RRC, and other NGOs have been distributing special Eid supplies at the camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf, with weekly rations also being distributed. Moreover, mosques in the area have been outfitted with special arrangements so that they can perform their Eid prayers.”