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Dr Abdullah Shibli
There are multidimensional aspects of the current crisis, and the magnitude of the challenges is huge. There are undoubtedly economic losses for residents of the densely populated areas along the Naf River in Cox's Bazar. Rohingyas settled in Teknaf and Ukhia upazilas, who now number over 600,000, are costing us more than USD 4 million daily to feed and shelter, not counting the other half a million who came earlier. We have come across reports that there has been a 70 percent drop in commerce between Bangladesh and Myanmar since the latest round of Myanmarese military operations. Communities in the Cox's Bazar region have witnessed visible signs of turmoil in their economic life, and any additional influx may even totally disrupt the daily activities of the residents. Harvesting, fishing activities, border trade, service, and daily commerce could come to a standstill. Prices of essential commodities are likely to go up considerably and that will bring hardship for the average family whose livelihood depends on a semblance of normalcy in the ecosystem.
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Dr Abdullah Shibli
There are multidimensional aspects of the current crisis, and the magnitude of the challenges is huge. There are undoubtedly economic losses for residents of the densely populated areas along the Naf River in Cox's Bazar. Rohingyas settled in Teknaf and Ukhia upazilas, who now number over 600,000, are costing us more than USD 4 million daily to feed and shelter, not counting the other half a million who came earlier. We have come across reports that there has been a 70 percent drop in commerce between Bangladesh and Myanmar since the latest round of Myanmarese military operations. Communities in the Cox's Bazar region have witnessed visible signs of turmoil in their economic life, and any additional influx may even totally disrupt the daily activities of the residents. Harvesting, fishing activities, border trade, service, and daily commerce could come to a standstill. Prices of essential commodities are likely to go up considerably and that will bring hardship for the average family whose livelihood depends on a semblance of normalcy in the ecosystem.
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It is to be noted, however, that there are some countervailing benefits resulting from the crisis. Some sectors of the economy, particularly the hospitality and airline industry, have witnessed a surge in demand from journalists, international observers, and human rights activists who are flocking to the Cox's Bazar region to report on the crisis, observe firsthand the condition of the refugees, and to offer assistance to the needy.
Last week, the UN pledging conference sought a total of USD 434 million response plan to help 1.2 million Rohingyas and the Bangladeshi host community. The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, told delegates on that day that focus would be on mobilising resources “to save lives and protect people”. Bangladesh can legitimately expect at least USD 1 billion per annum to provide services to these refugees, and this amount would still be negligible compared to USD 5 billion that the European countries promised Turkey in the wake of the Middle Eastern crisis.
Dr Abdullah Shibli is an economist and Senior Research Fellow at International Sustainable Development Institute (ISDI), a think tank based in Boston, USA.
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