German Language Instruction in the Largest Refugee Camp Globally, Led by Sabrina Sassi Among the Rohingya Community
In the world's largest refugee camp, located in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, over 900,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are seeking a better life. The living conditions in this forgotten crisis are catastrophic, with reports of rising violence, food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare and education.
International intervention is crucial to improving the living conditions of these refugees and facilitating their eventual safe return to Myanmar. This intervention should encompass humanitarian, protection, and diplomatic efforts.
Humanitarian aid is essential due to the overcrowded shelters, poor sanitation, and lack of healthcare and education. International actors can increase funding and technical support for clean water, sanitation, food distribution, healthcare services, and mental health programs addressing the trauma suffered by refugees.
Strengthening education is another vital aspect. Cuts in foreign aid have severely affected Rohingya children's education, especially in remote sites like Bhasan Char. International intervention can fund and implement inclusive education programs, train refugee teachers, and expand access to secondary education in line with refugee needs and preferences.
Enhancing security and protection is also crucial. Reports indicate rising violence within camps, including murder, kidnapping, forced recruitment, and human trafficking, stemming from criminal gangs and armed groups exploiting security gaps. International agencies can support Bangladesh by bolstering law enforcement capacity, establishing effective protection mechanisms, and providing justice and legal recourse for refugees.
Coordinated regional protection among governments and NGOs in Asia can develop search and rescue, anti-trafficking, and smuggling prevention efforts to enhance refugee safety during dangerous journeys and displacement.
Diplomatic and political advocacy is required to press Myanmar authorities for guarantees of safety, citizenship rights, and non-discrimination for Rohingya, creating conditions conducive to voluntary and sustainable return. Long-term solutions depend on resolving ethnic violence and statelessness in Myanmar. International mediation, sanctions, and humanitarian diplomacy can encourage Myanmar to end persecution and allow Rohingya reintegration.
International bodies can oversee that returns, if agreed upon, happen voluntarily, safely, and with dignity, providing reintegration assistance, rebuilding destroyed homes, and guaranteeing refugee rights. Engaging Rohingya refugees in decisions about their future fosters ownership, trust, and tailored solutions.
While international intervention aims to improve the lives of Rohingya refugees, individuals like 14-year-old Shahed continue to strive for a better future. Shahed, who has almost finished school in the camp, is learning German with the help of a teacher from Wesel. Despite the poor internet connection in the camp, Shahed's learning pace and comprehension impress his teacher, Sabrina Sassi.
Shahed's goal is to live in a safe place and work as a teacher, doctor, or in another profession where he can help others. However, his school leaving certificate is not recognised, and higher education is not offered in the camp.
Human rights activist Nay San Lwin is advocating for the Rohingyas to return to Myanmar and live in peace. He emphasises that significant international political pressure is needed to achieve this goal. Thousands of Rohingya were murdered in 2016/2017 by the military and civilian governments of Myanmar, driving them out due to their Islamic faith.
In 2017, 750,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh, joining the hundreds of thousands who had already sought refuge there. Despite the challenges they face, the resilience of individuals like Shahed serves as a testament to their hope for a better future.
- Strengthening education-and-self-development and personal-growth opportunities, like learning a new language, is essential for the Rohingya refugees; for instance, 14-year-old Shahed, who aspires to become a teacher, doctor, or any profession that serves others, is learning German in the camp.
- While international intervention addresses the immediate needs of the Rohingya refugees, long-term personal-growth and learning, such as access to higher education, are also critical for their future success and integration into society; however, Shahed's school leaving certificate is not recognized, and higher education is not currently offered in the camp.
