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The Rohingya refugee crisis, one of the most protracted and devastating humanitarian disasters of our time, has taken a sharp demographic turn. With a burgeoning birth rate in refugee camps and a continuous influx of new refugees fleeing conflict in Myanmar, the crisis is reaching unsustainable levels. Bangladesh, already overburdened by the presence of more than 1 million Rohingya refugees, is struggling to cope with this overwhelming demand for resources. Meanwhile, the international community seems paralyzed by political inertia, leaving Bangladesh to bear the brunt of the crisis alone.
Children make up more than half of the refugee population, with limited access to education, healthcare or basic services. These young people, many of whom have never known life outside the confines of a refugee camp, are growing up in conditions that stunt their development, both physically and psychologically. The long-term consequences of this demographic explosion are dire: a generation without education, employment opportunities or a sense of identity, trapped in a cycle of poverty and displacement.
Bangladesh has displayed remarkable generosity in hosting the Rohingya refugees, but the strain on the country’s resources and infrastructure is now reaching critical levels. The overcrowded camps are breeding grounds for disease, malnutrition and violence. Basic services, such as healthcare and sanitation, are overwhelmed. With more mouths to feed and fewer resources to go around, the situation is rapidly deteriorating.
The government of Bangladesh has been vocal about its inability to manage this crisis alone. In recent years, Dhaka has made repeated pleas for greater international support, both in terms of financial aid and political pressure on Myanmar to facilitate the safe return of refugees. However, these calls have largely fallen on deaf ears. International donors have been slow to release funds and efforts to repatriate the Rohingya have been met with hostility or indifference from Myanmar’s military regime.
Furthermore, the influx of new refugees has complicated matters even further. Conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army has flared up again, forcing thousands more Rohingya to flee their homes. The arrival of these new refugees, often traumatized and in desperate need of immediate assistance, adds further strain to an already overburdened system.
The young Rohingya population faces a bleak future. Education services are woefully inadequate, with nearly 83 percent of adolescents and youth lacking access to any form of education or vocational training. Even where informal education is available, it is often substandard and the curriculum is not designed to meet the needs of these displaced children. As a result, many Rohingya children are growing up without the basic literacy and skills necessary to rebuild their lives or integrate into any society, whether in Bangladesh or Myanmar.
This “lost generation” is a demographic time bomb. Without access to education or meaningful employment opportunities, young Rohingya are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation by criminal networks and extremist groups operating within the camps. Reports of gang violence, human trafficking and forced recruitment into militant organizations are on the rise. These children, alienated and disenfranchised, are growing up in an environment that fosters radicalization and resentment, further destabilizing an already volatile situation.
While Bangladesh struggles under the weight of this crisis, the international community has largely failed to act decisively. Donor fatigue has set in and humanitarian organizations are grappling with funding shortfalls. Many countries, preoccupied with their own domestic issues or geopolitical concerns, have not provided the necessary support to address the growing needs of the Rohingya population.
Young Rohingya are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation by criminal networks and extremist groups.
Dr. Azeem Ibrahim
Moreover, efforts to hold Myanmar accountable for its genocidal campaign against the Rohingya have stalled. Legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court are moving at a snail’s pace, offering little hope of justice for the victims. Meanwhile, Myanmar’s junta continues to act with impunity, refusing to create the conditions for the safe and dignified return of the Rohingya to their homeland.
The failure of the international community to apply meaningful pressure on Myanmar, coupled with a lack of coordinated efforts to support Bangladesh, has led to a humanitarian and demographic catastrophe. This failure has left Bangladesh in an untenable position, forced to manage a crisis that is the direct result of Myanmar’s policies of ethnic cleansing and genocide.
The current trajectory of the Rohingya crisis is unsustainable. Both Bangladesh and the international community must adopt a long-term strategy to address the demographic challenges posed by the growing refugee population. This requires a multipronged approach.
Increased international support: The international community must step up its financial and logistical support for Bangladesh. This includes not only humanitarian aid but also long-term development assistance to help integrate refugees into the local economy and society.
Educational and vocational programs: Urgent action is needed to provide education and vocational training to Rohingya youth. Without these opportunities, the “lost generation” will continue to grow, fueling instability in the region.
Pressure on Myanmar: The international community must apply sustained political pressure on Myanmar to end its campaign of ethnic cleansing and create the conditions for the safe return of the Rohingya. This includes targeted sanctions, diplomatic isolation and continued legal action at international courts.
Regional cooperation: Bangladesh cannot manage this crisis alone. Regional actors, including India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, must be engaged to find a collective solution that addresses both the root causes of the conflict in Myanmar and the immediate needs of the refugees.
The Rohingya crisis is not just a humanitarian disaster — it is a demographic time bomb. Bangladesh, despite its best efforts, cannot continue to shoulder this burden alone. The international community must act now, before the situation spirals even further out of control. A generation of Rohingya children is growing up in camps, devoid of hope and opportunity. The world cannot afford to turn a blind eye to their plight any longer.
• Dr. Azeem Ibrahim is the director of special initiatives at the Newlines Institute for Strategy and Policy in Washington, DC. X: @AzeemIbrahim