The refugee camp has a single toilet used by every family living there.
Rohingyas continue to live in very poor conditions in the Dasarahalli refugee camp. Rabia Begum, a Rohingya refugee said, “We do not even have a toilet and access to clean drinking water.”
These refugees live without any health and sanitation facilities. As many as 63 families use a single toilet leading them to suffer from infections.
Another refugee, Kader Hussain said, “Humans cannot survive in these conditions, it is just us who are surviving here.”
The Rohingyas, an ethnic group of Myanmar, fled after 1982 as they were denied citizenship, taking refuge in India and other countries.
UNHCR who is responsible for Rohingyas, said that they have plans to install e-toilets in the upcoming months.
Human rights’ lawyers say government does not provide any aide as it has not signed refugee convention.
Amina Akhtar, a refugee in the camp said, “There is just one toilet for men and women. They say they will provide e-toilets but they never have.”
Not having a toilet makes women to defecate in open areas. Which has led to three sexual assault cases. In addition to toilets, women’s safety is a major cause of concern.
Alice Mathew, HOD Political Science Department, Mount Carmel College said, “Irrespective of the political nature and texture of the government, political will has to be there. We cannot leave them to feed on their own.”
Rohingyas continue to struggle to get basic human rights and survive without basic amenities.
