Under new rules, CNG (motorized) rickshaw and auto-rickshaw drivers will be forbidden from carrying Rohingya passengers on “unauthorized routes” outside the camps. Violations may result in a fine of 50,000 taka ($404) and up to 6 months in jail, according to Bangladesh Army social media. For Rohingya refugees, this will create serious hardship by limiting their access to health care, basic needs and daily survival.

Refugees dig a hole in a desperate search for water. March 22 was World Water Day and while testing water quality REAL observed that most wells are not working. Ponds have dried up. NGOs provide only 12 liters a day per person, which is not enough. Also, the water is often dirty. Water is not a luxury. It is life. We call for improved water access by repairing wells, providing tanks and ensuring a safe and sufficient supply.

Several camps have been devastated by fires this year. Following a fire at the Balukhali 1 Refugee Camp, Block 09 (C-6), members of the refugee community responded immediately, working together to control the flames and prevent further damage. Thanks to their swift action, unity, and cooperation, the fire was successfully brought under control. Assessments are underway to ensure the safety of affected shelters and residents.

Rohingya girls are being seized by the Arakan Army in Burma and forced into conscription on a regular basis. The AA abducted three Rohingya girls from WaYa Chaung village in Buthidaung Township and are holding them at the AA’s base in Kwan Daung village: “The AA forces them to wear shorts during training and subject them to other uncomfortable practices,” one resident said. “There are also rumors the girls are being sexually abused.”

Mohammad Rofique (18) from Sub-Block B3 was injured while digging soil on a hillside when loose earth suddenly slid down. The hill moved faster than expected, highlighting the extreme instability of the terrain in many parts of the camp. Mohammed is receiving medical care. This incident is a painful reminder that overcrowding, fragile hillsides and unsafe living conditions make refugees vulnerable to preventable accidents. Urgent attention is needed to strengthen disaster risk reduction, improve safe shelter planning, and protect lives.

5,102 Rohingya refugees are being held for prolonged periods in overcrowded immigration detention centers in Malaysia without proper legal protection, according to a new investigation by Fortify Rights. Many detainees are held indefinitely without access to lawyers, courts, or judicial reviews. Some have been held for seven to eight years. Malaysia introduced a new refugee registration system on January 1, 2026, known as the Dokumen Pendaftaran Pelarian (DPP), replacing registration previously handled by the UNHCR.

This painting by a talented Rohingya boy represents the everyday hardships that Rohingya people face while living in the overcrowded refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh, where access to quality education is limited, freedom of movement is restricted, and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods are nearly nonexistent. The reverse side of this painting features the Mayyu Mountains in Arakan State, the ancestral homeland of the Rohingya people and symbolizes our deep longing to return to our roots and reclaim our identity.

Shah Alam, a disabled 56-year-old Rohingya refugee, was found dead in Buffalo, New York, after a U.S. Border Patrol abandoned him miles from his home. Nurul Amin Shah Alam was almost completely blind and could not speak English. He had been arrested in February 2024 after wandering onto private property using a curtain rod as a guide stick which police reportedly saw as a weapon. After being held in detention for a year, Shah Alam was released. But his family was not contacted and Border Control left him at a coffee shop many miles from home.

February 28: Final examinations have begun at REAL schools, marking an important moment for students and teachers alike in Camp 15. Students in Grades 3 – 8 are sitting for their exams in the morning shift. We wish them all the very best as they demonstrate their hard work and dedication. When women are empowered through education, they rise as leaders bringing justice, peace, and dignity to our community. We are so proud to celebrate these girls!

March 8: Safe spaces help turn silence into strength and bring voices together. In this gathering, Rohingya women came together to openly share their worries, struggles, and dreams. By listening to one another and standing in solidarity, they are building trust and supporting each other to speak up for dignity and equal rights. We urge community leaders, humanitarian partners, and the international community to invest in women-led safe spaces.