Humanitarianism: Education & Conflict: PEAC/EDUC 072 (Amy Kapit)

What Can You Do?

While the response to the Rohingya refugee crisis is generally poor, the services given to Rohingya children need particular attention, based on observations from previous case studies. Specifically, the response to this crisis parallels humanitarian organizations’ treatment of the Palestinian refugee crisis. In her article “Incredibly Difficult, Tragically Needed, and Absorbingly Interesting”, Jo Kelcey points out that in Palestine, the UN set the foundation for temporary humanitarian aid, deemphasizing education. However, over half a century later, these temporary humanitarian band-aids have become the foundations for a support system for the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinian refugees that are still unable to return to their homes1. This foundation means that Palestinian refugee students face constant uncertainty in their education, a place where they should have a right to consistency and safety. Organizations working on the Rohingya crisis should learn from the mistakes of organizations responding to this crisis.

It is of utmost importance that basic survival needs of the Rohingya people be met in these insecure camps that have become more permanent residences. This has been what NGOs and UN organizations have been putting their efforts towards for the past decade2. However, we cannot lose sight of the future, and the need to provide Rohingya with the tools to establish a strong and thriving community. Education is a central element of this. Linked below are outlines of two advocacy materials that could be used to encourage NGOs to take a more vested interest in education of Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh.


However, it is not only the responsibility of these organizations to improve the living conditions of Rohingya refugees. The Bangladeshi government has recently changed their stance on education for Rohingya children in Cox’s Bazar, providing curriculum that aligns with the Myanmar curriculum3. This is a step in the right direction, and the Ministry of Education should continue to work towards full integration of the Burmese curriculum in their schools, not just at the primary school level, but in upper grades as well.

In addition, private citizens should also make an effort to educate themselves on this issue, and there are a number of ways that they can contribute to improving the lives of Rohingya refugees. Aside from making an effort to have a baseline understanding of the conflict, individuals can stay up to date on current events in the region, and encourage friends and colleagues to do the same. This will ensure that the issue stays relevant, and that organizations working in Bangladesh will continue to work towards solutions.

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