The sun slowly rises over Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, casting a warm glow on the world’s largest refugee camp. As the dawn breaks, the camp comes to life with the sounds of children playing and the smell of food being prepared. For Mon Bahar, a 38-year-old Rohingya refugee, this is just another day in the sprawling network of camps that make up Cox’s Bazar. Home to over 1.1 million refugees, this camp has become a symbol of resilience and hope for those who have fled their homes in search of safety.
The Rohingya crisis began in August 2017, when violence erupted in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, forcing hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. Since then, Cox’s Bazar has become their temporary home, providing shelter, food, and medical aid to those in need. The camp may be overcrowded and lacking in resources, but it has also become a place of community and support for the refugees.
For Mon Bahar, the camp is a stark contrast to the peaceful village she once called home. She fondly remembers the days when she could freely walk through the fields and tend to her crops. But now, her days are filled with uncertainty and struggle. However, despite the challenges, she remains determined to make the best of her situation and provide for her family.
Every morning, Mon Bahar wakes up at the crack of dawn to start her day. She begins by preparing a small cooking fire and boiling water for tea. As she sips her tea, she watches as the camp comes to life around her. Children run around, playing with makeshift toys, while their parents begin their daily chores. Mon Bahar’s biggest challenge is to provide for her family with limited resources. But she doesn’t let that get her down. Instead, she joins the other women in the camp in search of work.
The camp provides various opportunities for employment, such as farming, construction, and domestic work. Mon Bahar has chosen to work as a domestic helper, cleaning and cooking for a family in the camp. It may not be the job she had hoped for, but it allows her to earn a small income to support her family. With the money she earns, she can buy food and other essentials for her family. She takes great pride in her work and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to her community.
One of the biggest challenges for the refugees in Cox’s Bazar is access to food. The camp is heavily reliant on aid from international organizations and the government of Bangladesh. However, with the growing number of refugees, resources are often stretched thin. To ensure that everyone has access to food, the camp has implemented a ration system, providing families with a monthly supply of rice, lentils, oil, and other essentials. Mon Bahar and her family are grateful for this support, but she also understands the importance of being self-sufficient. She has joined a group of women in the camp who have started a small vegetable garden, providing fresh produce for their families and selling the surplus to other refugees.
Despite the challenges, there is a sense of community and resilience in Cox’s Bazar. The refugees have formed tight-knit communities, supporting each other in times of need. Mon Bahar has found solace in these friendships, and they have become her new family. Together, they share their stories, their struggles, and their hopes for the future.
As the day goes on, Mon Bahar continues her daily routine, tending to her small garden, cooking meals for her family, and spending time with her neighbors. As the sun sets, she reflects on her journey and the challenges she has faced. But she also feels grateful for the safety and support she has found in Cox’s Bazar.
The world’s biggest refugee camp may be a place of hardship and uncertainty, but it is also a place of resilience and hope. Mon Bahar and the other refugees in Cox’s Bazar are a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of community. As the sun sets on another day, they rest, knowing that tomorrow, they will wake up to a new day, filled with possibilities and hope for a better future.