By Hafizur Rahman (Camp Correspondent)
June 6, 2026
Forty-six Rohingya people, including children, elderly people, and those suffering from long-term illnesses on 05, June, are stranded on the bank of the Naf River after being sent back from Bangladesh and then denied entry into Maungdaw.
The group fled from Buthidaung Township, where many Rohingya families say they are facing growing hardships, including displacement, lack of food, and restrictions on their daily lives. Hoping to find safety, they crossed the Naf River by boat on the night of June 4 and attempted to enter Bangladesh.
However, Bangladesh border authorities stopped them and returned them to the Myanmar side of the river near Paungzar village in Maungdaw Township early the next morning.
After arriving back, the group tried to return to their villages, but they were reportedly prevented from entering and were forced to remain on the riverbank. Local residents said the stranded families have little food, drinking water, or shelter and are in urgent need of help.
Most of the stranded people are from villages in Buthidaung Township, while a few are from Maungdaw.
Many Rohingya families in Buthidaung have recently been forced to leave their homes and move to temporary settlements. Some families are now living in makeshift shelters built in open fields. With the rainy season bringing heavy rain and flooding, conditions have become even more difficult.
“We have nowhere to go,” said one Rohingya resident. “We left because we could no longer survive where we were living, but now we are stuck between two sides.”
Another resident said, “There are children, elderly people, and sick people among us. We need food, water, and a safe place to stay.”
Local community members say more Rohingya families continue to leave their homes because of insecurity, poverty, and worsening living conditions. Many are risking dangerous journeys in search of safety and a better future.
The situation remains uncertain as the stranded families continue waiting on the Naf River shore without a clear solution.
