By: Hafizur Rahman
Adrift on the open sea, guided by nothing but hope and desperation, the Rohingya continue their search for safety. Fleeing persecution in Myanmar and trapped in the overcrowded refugee camps of Bangladesh, many risk their lives on perilous journeys to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. But even when they reach foreign shores, their fight for survival is far from over. Stateless and unwelcome, they navigate an uncertain future, caught between borders that refuse to offer them a home.
The Search for Safety
Since 2017, the Rohingya people have endured one of the most devastating displacement crises in modern history. Forced to flee Myanmar due to military crackdowns and systematic persecution, over a million Rohingya sought refuge in Bangladesh. However, life in the overcrowded camps offers little hope. Faced with dire living conditions, food shortages, restricted movement, and the looming threat of forced repatriation, many risk dangerous journeys to other countries in search of safety.
According to reports from UNHCR, IOM, and local authorities, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka have become key destinations for Rohingya refugees. However, their struggles do not end upon arrival. Many face legal barriers, detention, human trafficking, and uncertain asylum prospects. As 2025 unfolds, the Rohingya’s search for a place to call home continues, revealing the urgent need for stronger regional cooperation and humanitarian intervention.
Where Do the Rohingya Go?
Bangladesh: The Refugee Hub
According to UNHCR, nearly one million Rohingya remain in Bangladesh’s overcrowded camps near the Myanmar border. With worsening conditions and fears of forced repatriation, many take desperate measures to escape. (UNHCR, Rohingya Emergency Report, 2025)
Malaysia: The Primary Destination
As of November 2023, Malaysia hosted approximately 107,520 Rohingya, making up 58% of its total refugee population. Despite offering better conditions than Bangladesh’s camps, Malaysia does not grant legal recognition, restricting access to employment, education, and healthcare. (IOM Malaysia, Migration Report, 2023)
Indonesia: A Point of Arrival, Not a Destination
Indonesia has seen a steady rise in Rohingya arrivals, particularly in Aceh province. By June 2024, Indonesia hosted around 2,800 Rohingya, with over 260 arrivals recorded in January 2025 alone. The Acehnese people have provided shelter, but Indonesia lacks a formal refugee integration policy. (UNHCR Indonesia, Refugee Data Report, 2024)
Thailand: A Dangerous Transit Route
Thailand serves mainly as a transit point. As of mid-2024, around 500 Rohingya refugees were recorded, but many remain undocumented. The risks of detention, deportation, and human trafficking make Thailand one of the most dangerous routes. (UNODC, Human Trafficking and Migration Report, 2024)
Sri Lanka: A Land of Uncertainty
Sri Lanka has also seen an increase in Rohingya arrivals. In December 2024, over 100 Rohingya were rescued from a drifting boat. However, without a formal refugee policy, they remain in legal limbo. (Sri Lanka Navy, Refugee Rescue Report, 2024)
Stories of Survival and Loss
A Mother’s Search for Her Children
“My name is Nur Jahan, and my son’s name is Mohammed Junaid. It has been eight years since we arrived in Bangladesh. My son once told me, ‘I will go somewhere to pursue my education. If I cannot study, I will work abroad and take care of you.’ But we could not support him.
At sixteen, he crossed into Myanmar from Teknaf and boarded a boat from Thar Mee Hla, heading for Indonesia. The boat drifted near Indonesian shores for several days, but authorities pushed them back. He then tried to reach Malaysia through Thailand but was arrested. It has been two years since he left, and one year since we last heard from him. Now, he is in a Malaysian jail, calling us, crying, asking for help.”
A Missing Daughter, A Desperate Mother
“My daughter, Shokila, also tried to leave. Many women and girls from the camp were going to Malaysia, and some suggested she join them. The boatman told me, ‘I will accompany her to Malaysia,’ and I paid 200,000 BDT. The man who promised to marry her was supposed to pay the rest.
Later, I heard the boat reached Indonesia but was pushed back. Since then, I have had no information about my daughter. If anyone finds her, please help. Her name is Shokila, and her father’s name is Kafayet Ullah. We are from Taung Pyo, Balukhali Nayapara 3.”
Trapped in a Nightmare
“We had already suffered so much in Myanmar. We fled to Bangladesh, but after seven years, we still have no future here. We heard about the chance to go to Malaysia and decided to take the risk. There were nine men and five women on the boat. The brokers separated the women, keeping them apart.
They gave us food for three days, but after that, nothing. We starved for nine days. One woman became dehydrated, and when she died, her mother did not even notice. We gave her a funeral prayer and buried her at sea.
When we finally reached land, we were taken to a factory in Mahsoo, where over 2,000 people were held. Some managed to escape, but many of us are still stranded. The brokers told us we must pay 42 lakh MMK each to leave. We have no way out.”
The Struggle Continues
“My name is Md. Hussain, and my sister, Ayasha, and brother, Musa, also tried to leave. They left Bangladesh with great difficulty, unable to afford education, work, or even marriage. They were at sea for eight days, starving, before being pushed back from Indonesia. Now, they are trapped underground near the shore, struggling to survive.”
A Crisis Without Borders
The plight of the Rohingya refugees is a humanitarian catastrophe that continues to unfold. Despite years of suffering, they remain stateless, vulnerable, and abandoned by the world. Whether in Myanmar, Bangladesh, or beyond, their struggle persists—caught between borders, desperate for a place to call home.
