Issue 6, September 2026

This newsletter is produced by the Rohingya Education and Advocacy League (REAL), an association of refugees in the Jamtoli camp, Bangladesh, that works to better the lives of Rohingyas and tell their story to the world. The content is drawn from REAL social media posts over the past month. Rohingya Voice is written and edited by Maung Myint Swe in Bangladesh and Emma Badach in the US.

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Closure of the UNHCR transit centre will undermine refugee protection

UNHCR will shortly close a transit centre outside the camps in Cox’s Bazar, citing a shortage of funds. This will further undermine the safety of vulnerable refugees at a time of growing violence in the camps. The centre was opened in 2017 to process repatriation back to Myanmar but has since become an important refuge for vulnerable families. It is guarded around the clock and currently houses about 500 families. Many fear they are being returned to the same unsafe environment they left and have not been provided with clear safety plans.

Killings and kidnappings on the rise

After a period of relative calm, violence in the camps is rising again. According to the Daily Star, killings fell from 74 in 2023 to 22 last year, but 19 refugees have been killed in the first seven months of 2026 alone. Kidnappings are also increasing (see stories below). Since 2021, 935 refugees have been kidnapped, but many cases are unreported because families fear retaliation. The violence is fueled by the funding crisis. As opportunities disappear, more people are leaving the camps in search of work and this has led to a surge trafficking of drugs, arms and people. Armed groups are fighting for control in the camps and shooting is happening every night.

The kidnapping of Abul Kasim	Mukaddesa is missing
Abul Kashim, 32, a community teacher, has been kidnapped and missing since August 20. Abul’s family has received a video of Abul Kashim being beaten, a phone number, and a demand for 150,000 taka ($1,1195). His family is deeply concerned for Abul’s safety and has appealed to the authorities and community representatives to secure his safe return. Watch the video of Abdul in captivity.	Mukaddesa, 6, a resident of the Kutupalong camp (Ukhaia) is missing and her family is desperately searching for her. If you have any information about her whereabouts, please contact 0181257993. Mukaddesa’s family is living through unimaginable fear and uncertainty. A missing child is a family waiting, worrying and praying for her safe return. There have been no ransom demands.

REAL gardening project adapts to the monsoon!

REAL’s gardening project has trained another 40 families to garden vegetables, and 34 of the gardens are doing well. Unfortunately six gardens were ruined by the monsoon, but REAL will provide the families with new seeds. Our project has also adapted to the monsoon. The photo shows how our team is growing Zinya gourds – a climbing vine – on bamboo sticks that were laid across two toilets. Vegetables will be harvested in about a month and REAL will track the output. Meanwhile some families are using the leaves from the Zinya plants which are very tender. We are seeking donations to benefit new families through our appeal here!

Deaths at Hope Hospital should be investigated

REAL is calling for an urgent review of procedure at the Hope Hospital for Women following reports that a Rohingya mother and son from Camp 04 recently died at the hospital. The hospital treats around 300 women and children daily and the deaths have raised serious concerns about the quality of services and the possible neglect of vulnerable patients. There are also reports of pregnant women dying after receiving medical treatment. This calls for a strong, transparent and independent investigation. If any medical negligence, misconduct or unqualified staff are found, appropriate action must be taken.

Abdullah struggles with disability

Hepatitis C affects one in 5 adults

Abdullah, 50, lives alone in Camp 14 without family or anyone to provide regular care or support. He is a reminder that people with disabilities must not be left behind in humanitarian responses. They need accessible services, protection, livelihood opportunities and consistent community-based support so they can live with dignity and independence. Abdullah should not have to face his struggles alone.

Hepatitis C is also being found among newly arrived refugees. Behind these numbers are actual people, families, and lives already affected by years of displacement, poverty and limited access to healthcare. REAL calls on the international community to strengthen healthcare, and expand Hepatitis C screening and treatment. Refugee lives matter. Their health matters. Their future matters.

Congratulations to Sofar for coming first in Grade 7!

REAL learning centres offer English and Burmese classes

🎉🏆 Sofar – your hard work, dedication and determination have brought you this wonderful success. Keep shining, keep learning and continue making us proud. Wishing you even greater achievements in the future!

REAL offers all 6 subjects in the Myanmar curriculum including Burmese, English, mathematics, History, Geography and Science. They work with up to 200 children in grades 3-7 at ten informal learning centers in private homes. The classes are given by Rohingya teachers who receive around 150 taka ($1.2) from grateful families. We want Rohingya children to remember their roots while preparing for the modern world.

AA recruits Rohingya women

AA landmines kill civilians

More than 450 Rohingya women have been forcibly recruited by the Arakan Army (AA) across 14 townships in northern Rakhine State, according to reports. The areas affected include Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Minbya and Thandwe. Rohingya families are under pressure to provide recruits and households without adult men must provide a woman. Poorer families are particularly affected, while wealthier households can avoid recruitment by paying money. Those taken include girls under the age of 18. Recruiting Rohingya women also affects their religious practices and clothing. Their faith and cultural identity must be respected.

Saiful, a Bangladeshi civilian, has died from a landmine planted by the Arakan Army. The victim was cutting bamboo near border pillar-52 inside Myanmar near a camp controlled by the AA when he stepped on the buried device. He died at the Naikhongchhari Health Complex. Landmines are increasingly used by the Myanmar Army and AA, which uses the weapons to protect its illicit narcotics and human trafficking networks. Landmines creates a deadly threat to civilians who are seeking their livelihood. (Editor’s note: According to the 2025 Landmine Monitor 64% of all townships in Myanmar may be contaminated by mines).

AA forces Rohingyas to use social media as propaganda

Rohingya families required to report overnight visitors

According to reports reaching REAL, the Arakan Army is forcing Rohingyas to use social media to present the AA in a positive way. Some people are asked to appear in videos or photos, while others are pressured to share, comment or promote content. We cannot identify our informants but these reports are widespread and people are participating out of fear. The international community should investigate.

The AA has reportedly ordered Rohingya residents in Maungdaw to report anyone who stays overnight in their homes to the local AA Army command and warned they will be punished if they fail to comply. The new rule appears to be another way for the AA to identify potential new recruits and extort money from families that host relatives. REAL has been told that the measure is creating fear and anxiety among Rohingyas.

Proposed repatriation of Myanmar nationals from Malaysia produces an international backlash

Malaysia plans to return at least 1,500 Myanmar detainees on September 29 aboard two Myanmar Navy vessels and a hospital ship according to multiple sources. Malaysia has detained 10,388 Myanmar nationals and Myanmar has offered to take back 5,000 Rohingya refugees, as reported in Issue 5 of Rohingya Voice. Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said that Malaysia has identified the first 1,000 Myanmar nationals who will return, but did not say if they will include Rohingya refugees. He added that UNHCR will work with Malaysia’s Home Ministry to assess the refugee status of returnees and any security risk but the repatriation plan has been widely condemned internationally, including in this recent open letter from United Against Inhumanity. Meanwhile the newsletter Irrawaddy reports that the Thai government recently deported 200 Myanmar nationals who were immediately forced into recruitment in Myanmar. REAL vigorously protests any return of Rohingyas from Malaysia that will expose them to persecution, torture, armed conflict, and forced recruitment.

Myanmar condemned at UN Human Rights Council

Myanmar has come under sharp criticism from the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva. A new UN report accuses the regime of killing over 15,000 civilians since the coup in 2021 and warns that over 12 million suffer from acute hunger. Commenting on the report, Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that the AA’s continued seizure of land where Rohingyas live will make any repatriation more difficult and hoped that the International Court of Justice will soon issue a judgement. He said: “Much of my professional life has been dedicated to protecting the Rohingya. Their unspeakable suffering over decades has to end, and the involvement of the international community is absolutely essential.”

Genocide Remembrance Day (August 25 2017)

Art with a message: ‎Abu Zoor, Grade 5, created this powerful artwork to remember the genocide committed against the Rohingya by the Myanmar government in 2017. ‎He shows how the Myanmar authorities attacked, beat and harmed Rohingya people, turning painful memories into a message that the world must not forget. ‎We remember. We demand justice. We hope for a safe and peaceful future. Never forget. Never again. Justice for Rohingya. Read the full statement from REAL here.

Please click here and help us to grow food!

Twelve generous friends have given $776 to REAL’s GlobalGiving appeal, which will fund an extension of our gardening project into next year. Phase 1 produced 1.4 tons of vegetables and another 40 refugee families have been trained under phase 2. Click on the photo above to open our video and see how Shofika – one of the beneficiaries – plants seeds in discarded food aid sacks in Jamtoli camp.

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Issue 1 (April)

Issue 2 (May)

Issue 3 (June)

Issue 4 (July)

Issue 5 (August)

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