THE GROWING WASTE POLLUTION CRISIS IN ROHINGYA REFUGEE CAMPS: HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT & HUMAN IMPACT
Overview:
The Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, currently host over 1.3 million refugees living in 33 congested sites. Waste pollution has emerged as a severe and growing threat to both public health and the environment. Poor waste management systems marked by inadequate collection, improper disposal, and frequent burning of waste have created hazardous living conditions that disproportionately affect children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups.
Improper disposal of plastic, organic, electronic, and medical waste has contaminated water sources, clogged drains, and polluted the air, resulting in widespread waterborne illnesses, respiratory diseases, and weakened immunity among the refugee population. Seasonal challenges such as heavy rains and monsoon flooding further exacerbate the situation, turning makeshift drains into breeding grounds for cholera, diarrhea, and hepatitis A (HAV).
Beyond health risks, the crisis undermines daily life and well-being. Children lack safe play spaces, the elderly suffer from constant exposure to foul odors and smoke, and overburdened volunteers are forced to resort to harmful practices such as open burning of waste. The lack of coordinated waste management strategies, youth engagement, and sustained funding continues to leave the camps vulnerable to both immediate and long-term consequences.
The tables below highlights key findings and community perspectives, including insights from Rohingya teachers, volunteers, local NGO staff, and community leaders who experience these challenges daily. These voices emphasize the urgent need for coordinated waste management, expanded hygiene services, and awareness campaigns to protect lives and restore dignity within the camps.
1. Introduction: Context & Problem Statement
| Key Facts | Details |
| Population Affected | Over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees in 33 camps, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh |
| Primary Concern | Poor waste management leading to waterborne diseases, cholera, diarrhea, hepatitis A (HAV) |
| Vulnerable Groups | Children, elderly, pregnant women, and persons with chronic illnesses |
| Environmental Impact | Air pollution from waste burning reduces oxygen availability; contaminated drains and soil damage |
2. Health Impacts: Diseases and Infections
| Health Challenge | Description & Impact |
| Waterborne Diseases | Cholera, diarrhea, and hepatitis A prevalent due to poor drainage and contaminated water. |
| Respiratory Illnesses | Burning waste releases harmful gases, causing cough, fever, and weakened immunity. |
| Maternal & Child Health | Malnutrition and unsafe childbirth persist due to weak health infrastructure. |
| Mental Health | High stress, trauma, and anxiety resulting from unhygienic and overcrowded living conditions. |
3. Daily Life: Hygiene, Mobility & Mental Health
| Aspect | Key Observations |
| Hygiene | Scarce water, shared toilets, limited bathing facilities, and lack of privacy increase disease risk. |
| Mobility | Muddy, crowded paths hinder movement; elderly, disabled, and pregnant women face severe challenges. |
| Mental Health | Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and insecurity trigger stress, depression, and hopelessness. |
4. Methodology
| Method | Description |
| Interviews | Conducted with refugees, health workers, NGO staff, community leaders, and teachers. |
| Observation | Field visits to waste sites, drains, water points, and living areas. |
| Surveys | Informal questionnaires with 15 Rohingya teachers and volunteers. |
5. Findings & Analysis
| Waste Type | Source & Practice | Impact |
| Plastic Waste | Black bags used for food/fish; rarely recycled. | Blocks drainage, releases toxins, harms soil and air. |
| Organic Waste | Food scraps dumped into drains due to overcrowding. | Generates foul odor, spreads cholera, diarrhea, hepatitis A. |
| Electronic Waste | Discarded flashlights, bulbs, and phones not repaired or reused. | Releases toxic gases into soil, prevents plant growth, contaminates air. |
6. Community Insights: Voices from the Ground
| Person | Role | Statement |
| Shofullah (Rohingya) | Volunteer, SHED | “We collect waste daily, but much of it ends up burned, causing smoke and bad smell harming health.” |
| Bangladeshi Staff (SHED) | Waste Management Coordinator | “Families throw waste into drains, making water unsafe and playgrounds unusable for children.” |
| Teacher Group (15) | Rohingya Teachers | “If waste continues unmanaged, more children will fall sick; elderly already suffer from coughs and HAV.” |
7. Recommendations
| Recommendation | Action Steps |
| Strengthen Waste Management Teams | Recruit more volunteers and provide better equipment to handle increasing waste volumes. |
| Drainage Expansion & Cleaning | Widen and clear drains regularly to prevent contamination. |
| Community Awareness | Run campaigns on waste segregation, recycling, and health risks. |
| Youth Engagement | Form youth-led waste monitoring groups with CIC and Site Management support. |
| Medical & Mental Health Support | Increase mobile health clinics, provide mental health counseling, and distribute hygiene kits. |
8. Conclusion
| Key Takeaway | Message |
| Waste Crisis | Poor waste management is endangering the health and environment of over 1.3 million refugees. |
| Human Impact | Children, elderly, and women are most at risk from diseases, foul air, and unsafe water. |
| Call for Action | Coordinated NGO, UN, and government intervention is urgently needed to prevent further crisis. |
9. References
- WHO. Working for Clean Water and Health in a Rohingya Refugee Camp
- UNDP & BRAC. Pioneer Waste Solutions for Healthier, Greener Settlements (May 26, 2025)
- ACTED. Providing Hygiene and Waste Management Support to Rohingya Refugees
- IOM. Innovative Plastic Recycling Helps Improve Rohingyas’ Health and Environment
10. Appendices: Interviewed Stakeholders
| Name/Group | Position | Location |
| Shofullah | Rohingya Volunteer, SHED | Kutupalong Camp |
| Bangladeshi Staff (Anonymous) | Waste Management Coordinator | Kutupalong Camp |
| 15 Rohingya Teachers | Community Teachers | Various Camps |
| Rohingya Families (Anonymous) | Camp Residents | Between two camps (2W and Camp 6) |
Prepared by: Mohammed Asem, Maung Hla and Abdur Rahman
These emerging Rohingya researchers are youth activists, community volunteers, and dedicated learners striving to bring positive change to their people. They are actively involved in documenting the challenges faced in the camps, raising awareness on critical issues such as health, hygiene, and waste management, and contributing to research-driven advocacy. Through their roles as teachers, volunteers, and young researchers, they highlight environmental and public health issues, empower their communities, and advocate for sustainable solutions that improve the lives of Rohingya refugees. Together, they represent a new generation of Rohingya voices committed to creating a healthier, cleaner, and more dignified living environment for their people.
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This an informative, and well researched article. I wish every author of this report all the best!
I am very grateful after reading these beneficial articles. I also thank to these three experienced authors for highlighting the current intolerable conditions of the Rohingya Refugee Go onwards dear authors brothers through this system. Once again thank you to the RAR institute committee for giving the chance to Rohingya students to share with world the unspeakable words, unbearable depressions and so on of the Rohingya Refugee camp. Lastly thank you dear Kaiser sir for letting us to drop our comments here. Both RHR Asem and Abdur Rahman were my classmates and also my friends now. I and Asem are now at same block, he is also my relative and Abdur Rahman is next to our block. However, we are now at same area in the camp.