Rohingya Voice Issue 3

Issue 3, June 2026

Rohingya Voice

Welcome to Rohingya Voice, the authentic voice of Rohingya refugees in the camps in Bangladesh. This newsletter is produced by the Rohingya Education and Advocacy League (REAL), an association of refugees in the Jamtoli camp that works to better the lives of refugees and tell their story to the world. The newsletter carries a selection of REAL social media posts in May. Rohingya Voice is written and edited by Maung Myint Swe in Bangladesh and Emma Badach in the US. Scroll down to access REAL's social media and photos.

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Gardening resumes in the Jamtoli Camp

REAL has begun helping 40 new families to grow vegetables following the controversial decision by the UN to reduce food aid. REAL's gardening project produced 1.4 tons of food in March. Phase 2 will grow nutritious varieties and provide the first batch of families with seeds to continue planting. Rohingya Voice will follow the families through photos and social media posts and report regularly on the food crisis in the camps. Please share any news and insights!

Tools, training and seeds

During May, REAL trained 40 families to garden. We then followed up by distributing seeds, materials and sajna saplings. The seeds will produce lentils, sorghum, eggplant (brinjal) and gourds, which are familiar to the families and highly nutritious. The families are now preparing their plots and will soon begin planting. REAL will monitor progress during the harvest.

Gourds are good

Phase 1 of our project produced over a ton of gourds and gourds will again lead the way in phase 2. Gourds are easy to grow, rich in nutrients and popular with nursing mothers because they contain a lot of water (needed in breast milk). They are also easy to digest. Cooked gourds are low in calories but a kilo can sell for 150 taka ($1.2) in the market - enough to buy 3 protein-rich eggs.

Violence in the camps is increasing

Violence is increasing in the camps and families live in a constant state of fear and uncertainty. Above: Mothers and sisters hold the photos of victims. Below: gang warfare and domestic violence are claiming lives. Rohingya families are seeking justice and demanding that those responsible are held accountable. Without security, refugees cannot fully rebuild their lives or find stability after years of displacement and persecution.

Faction leader assassinated

On May 4 Abdul Halim, the Commander-in-Chief of ARO, an armed faction, was killed in Camp 8W. According to local sources, he was ambushed by attackers using gunfire and knives while traveling by motorcycle. Two others were also injured. The incident has caused growing concern around targeted violence in the camps.

Savage domestic violence claims the life of a mother

We are mourning the loss of Azida Begum, a mother of two who was killed and then hanged by her husband on May 25 in Kutupalong Camp. One daughter witnessed the murder and is deeply traumatized. The community is calling for greater protection for women and children and support for the family as they cope with this tragic loss.

Strength through community this EID

For Eid al-Adha, families in Camp 15 received Qurbani meat through a buffalo donation. The Rohingya people know Qurbani as the sharing meat from a sacrificed animal that takes place during Eid. Community volunteers helped distribute the meat to households all across the camp. For many families who were not able to sacrifice themselves, the donation provided an opportunity to participate in the holiday and share amongst their community.

Misinformation on

the rise

Online misinformation is fueling discrimination against Rohingyas. A recent Change.org petition calling for the removal of Rohingya refugees from Malaysia gained over 420,000 signatures before being placed under review We are now pushing for it to be permanently taken down. This incident highlights the rise of misinformation on public platforms and the need for accurate journalism.

Read the report here.

Rohingya families mark Mother's Day

Mother’s Day was celebrated in the refugee camps where Rohingya mothers continued with their daily struggle of caring for children, finding food, and maintaining stability while balancing fear and uncertainty. Despite limited resources and continual hardships, they remain a source of not only strength but comfort for their families. The day served as a quiet reminder of their resilience and grit.

Source: Salim Khan

Human Rights Watch Documentation

A recent report by Human Rights Watch has analyzed a notorious massacre of Rohingya villagers by the Arakan Army in Myanmar on May 22 2024. At least 170 people were attacked by AA fighters at Hoyyar Siri while fleeing fighting between the Burmese army and AA. Omar Ahmod, a survivor of the massacre, courageously returned to Hoyyar Siri and took photos of human remains, as shown above and on the front cover of the HRW report. Many survivors are still displaced. REAL joins those who have called for a full investigation.

Unsanitary camp conditions

Rohingya refugees face serious health risks linked to overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited access to clean water. Families say preventable illnesses are common and particularly dangerous to young children. Health workers are also worried about the impact of international aid cuts given that the health sector received $23 million of the $45 million sought in 2025. REAL calls for sustained support to improve health care, sanitation, and living conditions for thousands of vulnerable children growing up in the camps.

Measles outbreak threatens Rohingya Refugees

A deadly measles outbreak in Bangladesh has reportedly already taken the lives of over 500 children, raising fears among humanitarian workers that Rohingya children in the camps could be exposed if the disease continues to spread. Living in overcrowded conditions with limited access to healthcare puts refugees at risk from an illness that spreads rapidly. Source: AJE

Back issues

Issue 1 (April)

Issue 2 (May)

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Rohingya Voice is produced in Bangladesh and disseminated by The Advocacy Project (AP) in Washington DC. For information on AP visit our website or email. Click on the icons below to visit REAL's social media posts.