Paula Bronstein Photojournalist

ROHINGYA: STATELESS AND UNWANTED

  • A drone shot of the largest refugee camp housing the Rohingya, Kutupalong camp.For years Buddhist majority Myanmar has struggled to deal with a deeply rooted hatred towards the Rohingya in western Rakhine state. The Muslim ethnic minority were always considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied the rights of citizenship. According to Human Rights Watch, the 1982 laws {quote}effectively deny to the Rohingya the possibility of acquiring a nationality ”. Myanmar’s government also enforced severe restrictions on freedom of movement, state education and civil service jobs and health care. The Rohingya maintain they are indigenous to western Myanmar with a heritage of over a millennium and influence from the Arabs, Mughals and Portuguese. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than half of the country’s 1.1 million population fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed with over 630,000 new arrivals.
  • PALONG KHALI, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 9: Thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing from Myanmar walk along a muddy rice field after crossing the border in Palong Khali, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. For years Buddhist majority Myanmar has struggled to deal with a deeply rooted hatred towards the Rohingya in western Rakhine state. The Muslim ethnic minority were always considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied the rights of citizenship. According to Human Rights Watch, the 1982 laws {quote}effectively deny to the Rohingya the possibility of acquiring a nationality ”. Myanmar’s government also enforced severe restrictions on freedom of movement, state education and civil service jobs and health care. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than half of the country’s 1.1 million population fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed with over 655,000 new arrivals. Many traumatized refugees arrived telling stories of horror alleging rape, killings and the burning of hundreds of villages, which have been well documented by the media, along with the U.N and various human rights groups.
  • PALONG KHALI, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 16: A Rohingya girl cries, traumatized after days of walking, with little sleep, as refugees fleeing from Myanmar wait in the hot sun on a muddy rice field near Palang Khali, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Well over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state causing a humanitarian crisis in the region with continued challenges for aid agencies.
  • SHAH PORIR DWIP, BANGLADESH - SEPTEMBER 27: Sona Banu gets carried by Nobi Hossain through the shores of the Naf river as hundreds of Rohingya arrive by boats in the safety of darkness September 27, on Shah Porir Dwip island, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Over 655,000 Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state.The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than half of the country’s 1.1 million population fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed with over 630,000 new arrivals. Thousands of children who are traveling alone are at serious risk of trafficking and exploitation. Many traumatized refugees arrived telling stories of horror alleging rape, killings and the burning of hundreds of villages, which have been well documented by the media, along with the U.N and various human rights groups.
  • TANKHALI, BANGLADESH- SEPTEMBER 15 Desperate Rohingya grab for aid handouts of clothing and food on September 15 in Tankhali, Bangladesh. Nearly 655,000 Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in the Rakhine state as recent satellite images released by Amnesty International provided evidence that security forces were trying to push the minority Muslim group out of the country.
  • PALONG KHALI, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 16: Thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing from Myanmar are kept under a tight security by Bangladeshi military in hot sun near Palang Khali, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than half of the country‚Äôs 1.1 million population fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed with over 655,000 new arrivals.
  • TANKHALI, BANGLADESH- SEPTEMBER 15 Desperate Rohingya grab for aid handouts of clothing and food on September 15 in Tankhali, Bangladesh. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than half of the country’s 1.1 million population fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed with over 630,000 new arrivals. Thousands of children who are travelling alone are at serious risk of trafficking and exploitation. Many traumatized refugees arrived telling stories of horror alleging rape, killings and the burning of hundreds of villages, which have been well documented by the media, along with the U.N and various human rights groups. The government of Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, still hasn’t addressed any of these atrocities while top UN human rights officials state that the discrimination and persecution against the Rohingya community is a textbook example of ethnic cleansing, which many say are clear crimes against humanity.
  • SHAH PORIR DWIP, BANGLADESH - SEPTEMBER 30: Boats full of people continue to arrive along the shores of the Naf river as Rohingya come in the safety of darkness September 30, on Shah Porir Dwip island, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state causing a humanitarian crisis in the region with continued challenges for aid agencies.
  • SHAH PORIR DWIP, BANGLADESH - SEPTEMBER 27: Boats full of people continue to arrive along the shores of the Naf river as Rohingya come in the safety of darkness September 27, on Shah Porir Dwip island, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Over 480,000 Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state as Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi downplayed the crisis during a speech in Myanmar this week faces and defended the security forces while criticism on her handling of the Rohingya crisis grows. Bangladesh's prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, spoke at the United Nations General Assembly last week, focusing on the humanitarian challenges of hosting the minority Muslim group who currently lack food, medical services, and toilets, while new satellite images from Myanmar's Rakhine state continue to show smoke rising from Rohingya villages. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
  • INANI BEACH, BANGLADESH - SEPTEMBER 28: The body of a Rohingya woman lays on a beach washed up after a boat sunk in rough seas off the coast of Bangladesh carrying over 100 people September 28 close to Patuwartek, Inani beach, Bangladesh. Seventeen survivors were found along with the bodies of 15 women and children. Over 655,000 Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state.
  • Oct. 10: Azida Begum, age 11, was shot twice under her arm and her leg by Burmese military, killing her mother as she was fleeing her small village in Myanmar. Azida now lives with her grandmother, her father died years back.For years Buddhist majority Myanmar has struggled to deal with a deeply rooted hatred towards the Rohingya in western Rakhine state. The Muslim ethnic minority were always considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied the rights of citizenship. According to Human Rights Watch, the 1982 laws {quote}effectively deny to the Rohingya the possibility of acquiring a nationality ”. Myanmar’s government also enforced severe restrictions on freedom of movement, state education and civil service jobs and health care. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than half of the country’s 1.1 million population fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed with over 655,000 new arrivals.
  • PALONG KHALI, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 9: Thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing from Myanmar walk along a muddy rice field after crossing the border in Palong Khali, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than half of the country’s 1.1 million population fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed with over 655,000 new arrivals. Thousands of children who are travellling alone are at serious risk of trafficking and exploitation. Many traumatized refugees arrived telling stories of horror alleging rape, killings and the burning of hundreds of villages, which have been well documented by the media, along with the U.N and various human rights groups.
  • PALONG KHALI, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 16: Thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing from Myanmar are kept under a tight security by Bangladeshi military after crossing the border in a rice patty field near Palang Khali, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. A rainbow appeared after a brief rainstorm. Well over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state causing a humanitarian crisis in the region with continued challenges for aid agencies. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
  • PALONG KHALI, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 9: Thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing from Myanmar walk along a muddy rice field after crossing the border in Palang Khali, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. For years Buddhist majority Myanmar has struggled to deal with a deeply rooted hatred towards the Rohingya in western Rakhine state. The Muslim ethnic minority were always considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied the rights of citizenship. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than 650,00 of the country fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed.
  • PALONG KHALI, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 16: Thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing from Myanmar cross a small stream in the hot sun on a muddy rice field near Palang Khali, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Well over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state causing a humanitarian crisis in the region with continued challenges for aid agencies.
  • PALONG KHALI, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 16: Thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing from Myanmar walk along on a dirt path in a rice patty field in the hot sun near Palang Khali, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Well over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state causing a humanitarian crisis in the region with continued challenges for aid agencies. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
  • PALONG KHALI, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 9: Thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing from Myanmar walk along a muddy rice field after crossing the border in Palang Khali, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. For years Buddhist majority Myanmar has struggled to deal with a deeply rooted hatred towards the Rohingya in western Rakhine state. The Muslim ethnic minority were always considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied the rights of citizenship. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than 650,00 of the country fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed.
  • Rohingya desperately try to cross a river on a crowded makeshift bamboo bridge at Kutpalong camp.For years Buddhist majority Myanmar has struggled to deal with a deeply rooted hatred towards the Rohingya in western Rakhine state. The Muslim ethnic minority were always considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied the rights of citizenship. According to Human Rights Watch, the 1982 laws {quote}effectively deny to the Rohingya the possibility of acquiring a nationality ”. Myanmar’s government also enforced severe restrictions on freedom of movement, state education and civil service jobs and health care. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than half of the country’s 1.1 million population fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed with over 655,000 new arrivals.
  • KUTUPALONG, BANGLADESH- SEPTEMBER 17 Mohammed Nazir hides under a plastic tarp from the monsoon rains that are making life miserable for the displaced Rohingya September 17 in Kutupalong, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. The family of four is still waiting for a tent. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than half of the country’s 1.1 million population fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed with over 655,000 new arrivals.
  • THAINKHALI, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 7: A man beats anxious Rohingya children as things get out of control during a humanitarian aid distribution while monsoon rains continue to batter the area causing more difficulties October 7, Thainkhali camp, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Well over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state causing a humanitarian crisis in the region with continued challenges for aid agencies.
  • KUTUPALONG, BANGLADESH- SEPTEMBER 17 Sameera,20, looks our from a cement cylinder holding her 7 month old baby where the family are living until a shelter is built September 17 in Kutupalong, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.
  • THAINKHALI, BANGLADESH - SEPTEMBER 25: Mayina Khatun, 80, suffers from depression and fatigue from her difficult journey from Myanmar one week ago September 25, in Thainkhali camp, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Over 429,000 Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state as Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi downplayed the crisis during a speech in Myanmar this week faces and defended the security forces while criticism on her handling of the Rohingya crisis grows. Bangladesh's prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, spoke at the United Nations General Assembly last week, focusing on the humanitarian challenges of hosting the minority Muslim group who currently lack food, medical services, and toilets, while new satellite images from Myanmar's Rakhine state continue to show smoke rising from Rohingya villages. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
  • Orphan Mohammad Faisal , age 13, is exhausted after arriving in Bangladesh the night before, rests while he and his siblings wait for transport from the registration center. His story: He fled his village, Gudam Para two months ago when Burmese military attacked and set fire to their home. He was shot in the arm and lost his family during the escape. He was running away alone when he was shot, later the wound became infected and his arm was amputated by his uncle in order to save his life.
  • KUTUPALONG, BANGLADESH - KUTUPALONG, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 4: An severely malnourished, premature 15 day old baby gets treated in the pediatric - neonatal unit at the Kutupalong MSF clinic on October 4, Kutupalong, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.
  • Sajida Begum, 18, sits in her makeshift tent washing rice for dinner as smoke catches the late afternoon light September 25, in Thainkhali camp, Cox's Bazar. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than half of the country’s 1.1 million population fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed with over 655,000 new arrivals.
  • PALONGKHALI, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 5: Afia, age 10, holds water she got from a nearby well in the sprawling refugee camp October 5, Palongkhali, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state causing a humanitarian crisis in the region with continued challenges for aid agencies.Edit
  • A Rohingya child is caught up in a chaotic scene as aid distribution gets out of control near Balukhali camp.
  • THAINKHALI, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 7: A Rohingya boy cries as monsoon rains continue to batter the area causing more difficulties October 7, Thainkhali camp, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. e.
  • THAINKHALI, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 11: Vaccinators give the oral cholera vaccine to Rohingya October 11, in Thainkhali refugee camp Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. A massive cholera immunization campaign started led by the Ministry of Health and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, to protect newly arrived Rohingya from cholera. Approximately 900 000 doses of the vaccine have been mobilized, delivered by more than 200 mobile vaccination teams, making it the second largest oral cholera vaccination campaign ever. Well over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state causing a humanitarian crisis in the region with continued challenges for aid agencies. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
  • KUTUPALONG, BANGLADESH - SEPTEMBER 29: New Rohingya arrivals from Myanmar pack an overcrowded area trying to get some rest while they are waiting for shelter September 29 in Kutupalong, Bangladesh. Over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh from the horrific violence in Rakhine state in Myanmar causing a humanitarian crisis.
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  • KUTUPALONG, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 6: Children play in the dirty water in a small stream that runs through the Kutupalong camp October 6, Kutupalong, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state causing a humanitarian crisis in the region with continued challenges for aid agencies. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
  • KUTUPALONG, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 13: A Rohingya boy takes advantage of monsoon rains to bathe himself October 13, in Kutuplaong refugee camp , Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. For years Buddhist majority Myanmar has struggled to deal with a deeply rooted hatred towards the Rohingya in western Rakhine state. The Muslim ethnic minority were always considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied the rights of citizenship. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than 650,00 of the country fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed.
  • A man carries kitchen items for sale as he walks along Balukhali refugee camp.For years Buddhist majority Myanmar has struggled to deal with a deeply rooted hatred towards the Rohingya in western Rakhine state. The Muslim ethnic minority were always considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied the rights of citizenship. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than 650,00 of the country fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed.
  • KUTUPALONG, BANGLADESH - SEPTEMBER 29: Hasina Begum, age 18, holds her newborn baby, 8 days old, born while she was walking in the forest escaping from Myanmar September 29 in Kutupalong , Bangladesh. She is now living inside a makeshift shelter packed with new arrivals. Over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh from the horrific violence in Rakhine state in Myanmar causing a humanitarian crisis. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
  • KUTUPALONG, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 4: Aneta Begum,25,waits for treatment for a head injury after being attacked in the emergency unit at the Kutupalong MSF clinic on October 4, Kutupalong, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been providing comprehensive basic healthcare services at their Kutupalong clinic since 2009. Due to the current Rohingya crisis the clinic has expanded it's inpatient capacity dealing with approximately 2,500 out patient treatments and around 1,000 emergency room per week. All healthcare services provided at the clinic are free of charge to both the Rohingya refugee population as well as local Bangladeshi patients. MSF has also set up a number of health posts, mobile clinics and water and sanitation services elsewhere in Cox‚Äôs Bazar to better respond to the influx. Well over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state causing a humanitarian crisis in the region with continued challenges for aid agencies. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
  • KUTUPALONG, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 4: Hasina worried about her son, Mohammed Anas,11 months, suffering from acute pneumonia in the pediatric - neonatal unit at the Kutupalong MSF clinic on October 4, Kutupalong, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been providing comprehensive basic healthcare services at their Kutupalong clinic since 2009. For years Buddhist majority Myanmar has struggled to deal with a deeply rooted hatred towards the Rohingya in western Rakhine state. The Muslim ethnic minority were always considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied the rights of citizenship. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than 650,00 of the country fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed.
  • KUTUPALONG, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 4: MSF staff tend to Aneta Begum,25, gets treated for a head injury after being attacked in the emergency unit at the Kutupalong MSF clinic on October 4, Kutupalong, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been providing comprehensive basic healthcare services at their Kutupalong clinic since 2009. Due to the current Rohingya crisis the clinic has expanded it's inpatient capacity dealing with approximately 2,500 out patient treatments and around 1,000 emergency room per week.
  • KUTUPALONG, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 3: Halima Khatu cries worried about her son, Mohammed Harez, 8 months, suffering from acute pneumonia in the pediatric - neonatal unit at the Kutupalong MSF clinic on October 3, Kutupalong, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been providing comprehensive basic healthcare services at their Kutupalong clinic since 2009. Due to the current Rohingya crisis the clinic has expanded it's inpatient capacity dealing with approximately 2,500 out patient treatments and around 1,000 emergency room per week. All healthcare services provided at the clinic are free of charge to both the Rohingya refugee population as well as local Bangladeshi patients. MSF has also set up a number of health posts, mobile clinics and water and sanitation services elsewhere in Cox‚Äôs Bazar to better respond to the influx. Well over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state causing a humanitarian crisis in the region with continued challenges for aid agencies. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
  • SHAH PORIR DWIP ISLAND, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 9: A funeral takes place for five children after an overcrowded boat carrying Rohingya fleeing Myanmar capsized overnight killed around 12 people including five children on October 9, on Shah Porir Dwip Island, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Around 35 people were on the boat and eight survived. Well over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state causing a humanitarian crisis in the region with continued challenges for aid agencies. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
  • INANI , BANGLADESH - SEPTEMBER 29: A woman carries the bodies of children to be washed in preparation for the funeral after a boat sunk in rough seas off the coast of Bangladesh carrying over 100 people September 29 in Inani , Bangladesh. Seventeen survivors were found along with the bodies of 20 women and children with over 50 missing. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than half of the country’s 1.1 million population fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed with over 655,000 new arrivals.
  • THAINKHALI, BANGLADESH - SEPTEMBER 25: Abdul Khaleque ,60, died from Tuberculosis is carried for burial September 25, in Thainkhali, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. For years Buddhist majority Myanmar has struggled to deal with a deeply rooted hatred towards the Rohingya in western Rakhine state. The Muslim ethnic minority were always considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied the rights of citizenship. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than 650,00 of the country fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed.
  • SHAH PORIR DWIP ISLAND, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 9: Madia Khatun, a relative, grieves next to the bodies of 5 children, after an overcrowded boat carrying Rohingya fleeing Myanmar capsized overnight killed around 12 people including five children on October 9, on Shah Porir Dwip Island, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Around 35 people were on the boat and eight survived. Well over a half a million Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August during the outbreak of violence in Rakhine state causing a humanitarian crisis in the region with continued challenges for aid agencies.
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  • Rohingya Samira Begum, age 17, gets ready for her wedding ceremony to Osmam Gani, age 21 who is from the same village in Maungdaw, Myanmar. Samira lost her father amid turmoil both of them crossed the border on same day on August 30th hoping to spend the rest of their life together. They now live in separate refugee camps but will soon be living together. It is customary for the bride to be quite emotional and scared on her wedding say as she is leaving her family for the first time for a new life. For years Buddhist majority Myanmar has struggled to deal with a deeply rooted hatred towards the Rohingya in western Rakhine state. The Muslim ethnic minority were always considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied the rights of citizenship. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than 650,00 of the country fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed.
  • As a full moon rises Rohingya boys Farzu Alam, age 17 and his brother Shahabuddin, age 12 , stand on a hill in Kutupalong camp trying to call their father who lives in Malaysia. They arrived two months ago from Myanmar with their mother.
  • Children fly handmade kites on top of a in Kutupalong camp.
  • Abu Siddique, 90, stands on a hill overlooking the Kutupalong refugee camp as a rainbow covers the sky. He had to pay people to carry him across the Myanmar border to Bangladesh spending all of his savings.
  • A Rohingya man prays on a hill overlooking Kutupalong refugee camp after a burial for an elderly woman who died from a viral infection.
  • Rohingya cross a bamboo bridge over a stream as the sun sets October 13, inside the sprawling Kutuplaong refugee camp. The refugee emergency unfolded in late August after an attack on state security forces by Rohingya insurgents, triggering a brutal military crackdown that has forced more than half of the country’s 1.1 million population fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh creating the fastest cross-border exodus ever witnessed with over 655,000 new arrivals.
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