HomeNewsHumanitarian NewsAn existence at stake: life as one of the world’s most persecuted minority

An existence at stake: life as one of the world’s most persecuted minority

  • June 20, 2025
  • Posted by: humanitarianweb
  • Category: Humanitarian News
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Source: EU
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One of the largest stateless populations in the world

The Rohingya, an ethnic and religious Muslim minority in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, have endured decades of violence and discrimination. Effectively denied citizenship in their own country, they are one of the largest stateless populations in the world.

Since the 1990s, more than 1 million Rohingya have fled armed attacks and widespread human rights violations. Scattered across South and Southeast Asia, many remain in a state of limbo, struggling to meet their most basic needs, yet unable to safely return home.

The situation in Myanmar has worsened dramatically since the military takeover in 2021. Fighting has engulfed much of the country, with many Rohingya caught in the crossfire. Today, over 1/3 of Myanmar’s population – 21.9 million people – require urgent humanitarian assistance, but international support and attention are waning.

Myanmar’s border with Bangladesh is marked by:

  • escalating clashes among the Arakan Army
  • the military regime
  • Rohingya militant groups

Some Rohingya in northern Rakhine State and in Bangladesh have been forcibly drawn into the conflict, conscripted either by Rohingya armed groups or by the Myanmar military, which is deepening the resentment and discrimination faced by the Rohingya community in Rakhine State.

More than 634,000 Rohingya remain in Myanmar, primarily in Rakhine State, in the west of the country. Some 141,000 are confined to camps and villages, they face severe restrictions on essential rights including:

  • freedom of movement
  • education
  • employment
  • healthcare

Since 2020, the EU has allocated over €200 million to support Rohingyas in Bangladesh with vital assistance including:

  • food
  • water
  • sanitation
  • healthcare services
  • education
  • shelter
  • increased protection for the most vulnerable

Extremely dire living conditions and a deteriorating security and safety situation in the camps push more and more refugees, including women and children, to risk their lives on dangerous sea routes and land routes towards the countries in the region:

  • particularly Indonesia and Malaysia
  • but also Thailand and India

Over 1 million Rohingya live in crowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, and depend on aid due to movement and work restrictions. Since 2024, worsening conditions in Myanmar have forced many more to flee to Bangladesh.

Despite efforts to improve conditions, the Rohingya refugees’ situation remains extremely dire. The crisis shows no end in sight, international funding is drying up, and life in the camps is becoming increasingly dangerous.

Those who make it to Aceh, Indonesia, sleep in overcrowded shelters with limited access to humanitarian aid. Despite rising xenophobia against the Rohingya, misinformation, hate speech and forced evictions, many locals continue to show solidarity and support.

Shukutara and her mother, Jannatara, risked the dangerous journey to Indonesia after the baby’s father was killed in a camp in Bangladesh. Now, they stay at a temporary shelter in an underground car park, which is supported by UNHCR.

Fatimah, a 34-year-old Rohingya refugee in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, fled Myanmar in 2010. She cares for her daughter and foster daughter, while volunteering to support other refugees, providing stability and hope for her family and community.

Rohingya arrivals in Thailand are rising, adults face detention and unaccompanied children stay in shelters. With EU funding, IOM provides:

  • legal aid
  • food
  • medical care
  • mental health support

The EU has allocated EUR 15.5 million since 2020 to respond to the increasing protection needs of refugees throughout the region, including in:

  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Thailand
  • India

Until conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State allow for sustainable, dignified, safe, and voluntary return, the international community must continue life-saving aid for Rohingya refugees.

The European Union remains committed to standing with them in solidarity and support.

  • Story by Lisa Hastert, Regional Information Officer, EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations