Rohingya Refugees Repatriation and Natural Disasters – A Crisis within a Crisis

Abstract

The recent 7.7 magnitude earthquake in central Myanmar on March 28th has critically exacerbated the already protracted stalemate in the Rohingya repatriation process. This analysis contends that the natural disaster has diverted the Myanmar military regime's attention and resources towards internal disaster management and political stability, effectively deprioritizing the planned return of refugees. As the earthquake has intensified existing hurdles by damaging crucial infrastructure, eroding the perceived safety of Rakhine State among Rohingya in Cox's Bazar, the international aid has been redirected away from the refugee crisis. Furthermore, the regime's ongoing conflict with the Arakan Army in Rakhine and a flawed, non-inclusive repatriation framework continue to render return conditions unsafe and unsustainable. The paper concludes that the convergence of this natural catastrophe with persistent political and humanitarian failures has effectively halted repatriation prospects, placing an increasing strain on Bangladesh and necessitating an urgent, rights-based international response.