By: Camp Correspondent
Cox’s Bazar, May 22, 2025 — A deep sense of sorrow has gripped residents of Camp 2W after a young Rohingya man, identified as Shofi Alom (27), was found dead in what appears to be a suicide inside his shelter around 12:35 a.m. early Thursday.
Shofi, son of Arshad Hossen, lived in Sub Block D-13 under the care of Sub Majhi Zamal Hossun. According to local sources, he was discovered hanging from the roof with a nylon string, in what many believe was an act of silent despair.
“We don’t know what exactly happened to him,” his grieving mother told Rohingya Khobor. “He had been acting strangely for the past two days—wandering around without reason, talking to himself. Last month, people said someone did black magic on him, and since then, he had lost his senses.”
While the exact circumstances behind his death remain unclear, residents suspect psychological distress and prolonged trauma as contributing factors. Many in the community say Shofi had been struggling emotionally for some time, like many other young men in the camps.
Community members immediately notified local leaders following the incident. Camp authorities and relevant agencies have been informed and are expected to launch an investigation.
This tragedy once again highlights the urgent need for mental health support and psychosocial care across the refugee camps. With more than one million displaced Rohingya confined to overcrowded, impoverished camps, access to professional mental health services remains extremely limited.
“Young men here suffer silently,” said a neighbor. “There’s no proper support system, and no one to talk to. The pressure is too much.”
Residents of Camp 2W have expressed deep sorrow and are urging humanitarian agencies to prioritize community-based mental health programs, particularly for vulnerable youth at risk of emotional breakdowns.
