February 6, 2018
Hundreds of Rohingyas remain stranded in Don Khali Char in Southern Maungdaw, desperately waiting for a boat to take them to Bangladesh. The escapees are all from southern Buthidaung and Rathedaung from where the maritime route is the only way to escape severe atrocities and an ongoing blockade that has deprived them of food and water for weeks.
The government of Bangladesh has however closed down all maritime routes that generally lead to the island of ShahwPwuri Dweep citing exploitation by human traffickers and boat accidents. This has however increased the ordeal for refugees stuck around the Don Khali area where food and fresh water is very scarce.
Meanwhile, Rohingyas are leaving the village tract of San Go Taung of Southern Buthidaung in droves after a crippling blockade is leading to starvation for many families. Refugees currently in Bangladesh say the government had imposed a strict blockade starting from November leading many families to make a precarious ten day journey towards Don Khali and the troublesome sea journey to Bangladesh. Starving families took the risk even though the actual violence was over, as they had completely run out of food.
This time, sources from San Go Taung say that many of the families had saved enough and had desired to hold on and stay in the village, but the Burmese security forces continue to barricade the village from all sides making it impossible for them to go to the hills, the rivers or the fields to earn a livelihood. Meanwhile food and water has completely run out. The Rohingya settlement which had more than 2000 inhabitants before 2017 is now almost devoid of human population as some of the last inhabitants took the decision on Sunday to make the perilous journey towards Bangladesh. Speaking over video chat, they say they cannot stand the hunger anymore as their families including the young children have not eaten for days due to the blockade imposed by security forces.
Rohingya activists have long alleged that security forces and Mogh vigilantes have blockaded many settlements in an effort to starve out the Rohingya population and force them to escape towards Bangladesh.
At present with the maritime routes closed, a difficult journey will become even more complicated.
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