Beyond Relief: Securing Livelihoods and Agency for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

Several waves of displacement and migration since 1990 have resulted in the splintering of many Rohingya families, who live indefinitely separated across Myanmar, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and other countries. Meanwhile, refugees in Bangladesh endure the hardships of camp life while awaiting sustainable solutions to the crisis. A study by The Asia Foundation and the Centre for Peace and Justice, Brac University, explores mobility, hardship, and livelihoods among refugee families living in the camps of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The study is based on a representative survey of 1,611 refugee households and 50 in-depth interviews with camp residents. This policy paper summarizes main research findings on the prevalence of family separation, transnational support networks, and remittances, debt, income sources, and needs.