A recent study conducted by the East West University Center for Research and Training (CRT) sheds light on the shifting perceptions of the local Bangladeshi population towards Rohingya refugees. The influx of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh has triggered a significant transformation in attitudes, with a majority now expressing negative sentiments.
According to the study, conducted by Dr. Md. Mobarak Hossain Khan, Rezwan Siddiqui, and Rubayat Kabir, the proportion of local residents displaying unfavorable attitudes towards the Rohingya has surged from one-third in 2017-18 to 60 percent in 2021–22, with only five percent showing sympathy. Men and individuals from middle-and-high-income groups constitute the majority expressing negative attitudes.
The prolonged presence of the Rohingya population has been cited as a cause of mental distress among the local people, exacerbating negative sentiments. The study surveyed 639 Bangladeshi residents across four upazilas of Cox’s Bazar district, including Teknaf, Ukhyia, Cox’s Bazar, and Ramu.
The study highlights several factors contributing to this shift in attitudes. Proximity to Rohingya settlements, along with interactions between the two groups, plays a critical role. Locals living near the camps report physical and mental unrest, perceiving the Rohingya as a threat to their safety and property.
Negative impacts attributed to the Rohingya presence include increased living costs, decreased overall quality of life, environmental degradation, and intensified administrative workloads. Locals also perceive disparities in aid distribution, contributing to negative attitudes.
Despite some positive impacts such as increased food and labor supply, employment opportunities, and demand for rental housing, the study underscores the need for strategies to foster harmony and cultivate positive attitudes between the two communities.
The findings underscore the importance of addressing the Rohingya crisis through a lens of mutual benefit and development, with a focus on prioritizing the rights and well-being of both refugees and residents.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
