Rohingya exodus from Bangladesh surges amid aid cuts

DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — The number of Rohingya refugees leaving Bangladesh by boat has surged to its highest level in years, as deteriorating living conditions and funding shortfalls drive growing desperation inside the world’s largest refugee settlement.

Save the Children reported that at least 1,088 Rohingya — including 87 children — attempted sea crossings in the first half of 2025, heading mainly toward Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. 

The figure is nearly three times higher than the 364 who made similar attempts during the same period last year, according to data from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

The independent humanitarian group warned that worsening insecurity, limited education and job opportunities, and deep aid cuts are pushing more families to consider dangerous maritime routes. 

“As the rainy season ends and conditions in the camps deteriorate, more families are contemplating whether to leave and brave dangerous boat journeys in search of a better life,” Save the Children said in a statement.

A 20-year-old refugee named Rahim told the organization he often thinks about leaving. “Life in the camp is getting harder every day. There’s no proper work, no chance to study,” he said. “Many of my friends talk about going to Malaysia. They think it’s the only way to build a future.”

Humanitarian agencies say this year has been particularly grim for children, with aid shortages forcing major reductions in healthcare, food distribution, and education programs. The cuts follow a decline in international funding, which has dropped sharply since the Rohingya crisis began in 2017.

Abeda Sultana, a senior project officer for child poverty at Save the Children, said growing insecurity and economic pressure are leading many young people to risk their lives at sea. “Hearing success stories from peers who migrated successfully continues to encourage others to follow the same unsafe routes,” she said.

Traditionally, Rohingya refugees undertake sea journeys after the monsoon season in October, when calmer waters make crossings possible. Yet, even then, routes remain perilous, with frequent reports of capsized boats, trafficking, and abuse at sea.

Save the Children urged international donors to restore funding for education, livelihoods, and camp security to address the root causes of these dangerous migrations. It also called on Southeast Asian governments to uphold humanitarian obligations by allowing safe disembarkation and offering protection to those rescued.

The growing wave of departures, rights groups warn, underscores a grim reality — without renewed global support, thousands of Rohingya refugees may feel they have nothing left to lose but the sea.