Bangladesh is struggling under the weight of more than 1.3 million Rohingya refugees while Myanmar, the source of the crisis, faces few consequences, analysts warn. A UN conference this week again highlighted how international pledges remain thin, leaving Dhaka to shoulder a burden it did not create.
Since 2017, residents of Ukhiya and Teknaf have endured rising crime, deforestation, and strained resources as camps turned into permanent settlements. More than 150,000 new arrivals have entered since January 2024, deepening dependence on underfunded humanitarian programs.
Myanmar’s Arakan Army has used Bangladeshi territory for cross-border operations, underscoring Dhaka’s vulnerability. Observers argue Bangladesh must move beyond appeals for aid and develop leverage through diplomacy, trade pressure, and security tools. Without a pragmatic national strategy, they warn, Bangladesh risks being reduced to a soft buffer zone rather than a regional power.