Number of Rohingya refugees surge in Bangladesh

World

Published: 2017-09-05 11:36

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 09:05


Rohingya muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar to Bangladesh increasing. (Photo Credit: AP)
Rohingya muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar to Bangladesh increasing. (Photo Credit: AP)

According to the United Nations, the number of Rohingya refugees escaping persecution from Myanmar to Bangladesh has surged, with more than 35,000 new arrivals identified in the last 24 hours. 

Since the 25th of August, it is believed that over 123,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar's Rakhine state, with recent attacks triggered by Rohingya militants retaliating by attacking police posts. 

This spark a military counter-offensive, forcing Rohingya civilians to flee their homes in increasing open fires on women and children, sexual violence and arson. 

Senior UN human rights officials and activits are saying it is time for Myanmar's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, to intervene in order to stop the violence, with increasing regional concern over human rights abuses and influx of refugees to neighboring countries.

According to the BBC, two main UN camps for them are now full, resulting in people building shelters and sleeping outside on open grounds and roads.

It is unclear to the UN when the latest refugees entered Bangladesh, but it asserts that the number of new arrivals which require food and water has increased dramatically.