I Found Safety and a Home in the United States, My People Are Still Waiting in the Refugee Camp

Every year on August 25, USCRI joins Rohingya communities in the refugee camps and across the diaspora in marking Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day: honoring those killed in the 2017 campaign that United States has determined to be genocide and recognizing the more than one million Rohingya still waiting for a durable solution. The views and opinions expressed in the following reflection are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of USCRI.

By: Yasin Arfat, Refugee and Human Rights Advocate

I remember the day I fled my home in Myanmar in 2017, when escalating violence and a widespread crackdown against the Rohingya community made it impossible to remain. Villages were destroyed, families were separated, and fear became a constant part of daily life. Under these conditions, leaving was not a matter of choice but of survival. Like many others, I crossed into Bangladesh seeking safety, carrying little more than uncertainty about what the future might hold.

August 25 carries a painful meaning for the Rohingya people. On this day in 2017, the Myanmar military launched a brutal campaign of violence against the Rohingya in Rakhine State. Villages were burned, civilians were killed, families were separated, and women and girls were subjected to sexual violence. In the months that followed, more than 700,000 Rohingya were forced to flee across the border into Bangladesh. For those of us who experienced it, these are not simply numbers or events recorded in history. They are the homes we left behind, the people we lost, and the lives that were changed forever. August 25 gives us a moment each year to remember those who were killed and those who continue to suffer, but it should also remind the world that the Rohingya crisis did not end when we reached Bangladesh.

Nine years later, the consequences of what happened in 2017 continue to shape the lives of Rohingya. Hundreds of thousands remain in Cox’s Bazar camp without a clear path toward a good future. For me, remembering August 25 is not only about remembering what happened to my community. It is also about recognizing what Rohingya are still facing today. As humanitarian assistance declines and opportunities for education, livelihoods, and a dignified life remain limited, the need for international attention has not gone away. Remembrance must also be a call to action, to ensure that the Rohingya are not forgotten and that they are given the opportunity to live safely, with dignity and hope for the future.

The years that followed in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar were marked by prolonged hardship. For five years, I lived in a camp where access to basic necessities such as food, clean water, and adequate shelter could not be taken for granted. Daily life required constant adaptation to limited resources, and the absence of long-term stability made it difficult to plan ahead.

In 2022, I was given the chance to resettle in the United States, a transition that significantly changed the direction of my life. Since then, I have been able to engage in advocacy on behalf of refugees and participate in discussions that shape policies affecting refugee resettlement, humanitarian assistance, and the protection of displaced communities. I have had the opportunity to visit the U.S. Capitol and meet with elected officials, not only in a personal capacity but also as someone representing the perspectives and challenges faced by refugees. In those meetings, I have advocated for stronger support for refugee resettlement programs, increased humanitarian aid for displaced populations, and policies that uphold the rights and dignity of people forced to flee persecution and conflict.

Despite this transition, my connection to Rohingya refugees living in Cox’s Bazar camp has remained strong. That connection informs my concern about the current conditions in the camps, particularly in light of recent reductions in humanitarian aid.

In recent years, humanitarian funding for the Rohingya refugee response has struggled to keep pace with growing needs, which has resulted in reductions to food rations for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar. For many families, these rations are their primary and often only source of nutrition. As a result, even modest reductions can have serious consequences, especially for households that do not have alternative means of support. Consistent access to adequate food is essential not only for physical health but also for maintaining a basic level of stability within the camps.

At the same time, livelihood opportunities remain extremely limited. Rohingya refugees face significant restrictions on formal employment and income-generating activities, which limit their ability to achieve even a degree of self-reliance. In this context, it is understandable that some individuals seek alternative ways outside the camps, even when doing so involves considerable risk. Irregular migration by sea toward countries such as Malaysia continues and these journeys have led to shipwrecks when vessels encounter dangerous conditions. 2025 was the deadliest year on record for maritime movements of Rohingya refugees, and more than 500 people are feared dead from two shipwrecks in July 2026. These incidents reflect the difficult circumstances faced by those who feel they have few viable alternatives.

Access to education is another ongoing concern. Many children and young people in the camps do not have access to a formal, accredited education system. As a result, they are at risk of falling behind in their development and may face significant barriers in the future. Education plays a critical role not only in providing knowledge, but also in fostering stability, structure, and long-term opportunity.

The situation in Cox’s Bazar remains complex. Since the mass displacement of Rohingya refugees in 2017, the Government of Bangladesh, together with humanitarian organizations and international partners, has undertaken significant efforts to respond to the crisis. These efforts have included providing refuge to over one million Rohingya, establishing and maintaining refugee camps, distributing food and essential supplies, supporting healthcare services, expanding access to education for children, and improving water, sanitation, and shelter infrastructure. These contributions have been critical in addressing immediate humanitarian needs and deserve recognition. However, the scale and duration of the crisis continue to present significant challenges, underscoring the need for sustained and in some areas increased international support.

Ensuring consistent and adequate food assistance, expanding access to quality education, and exploring opportunities for safe and appropriate livelihood activities would contribute to improving conditions in the camps. These measures are important not only from a humanitarian perspective but also for promoting stability and dignity among refugee populations.

I share these reflections both as an advocate and as someone who has lived through these conditions. The support I received during my time as a refugee played a meaningful role in enabling me to rebuild my life. It is important that similar support continues to be available to those who remain in the camps today.

The Rohingya displacement crisis is ongoing, and its impacts continue to be felt by hundreds of thousands of refugees in Cox’s Bazar. As someone whose life was transformed through resettlement in the United States, I believe American policymakers can make a meaningful difference by sustaining humanitarian assistance, supporting education and livelihood opportunities, and resuming refugee resettlement pathways for Rohingya refugees who have spent years in limbo. Continued U.S. leadership and international engagement are essential to ensuring that the Rohingya are not forgotten and that they have the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Yasin Arfat is a former refugee and currently works as a human rights advocate. He is a former Senior Case Manager with Heartland Human Care Services in Chicago, Illinois. He fled Rakhine State in 2017, spent five years in the camps in Cox’s Bazar, and resettled in the United States in 2022.

See below for more of USCRI’s work on Myanmar: