This project is a partnership between Plan International Australia and Deakin University, to continue research in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh into ways to improve relations between the Rohingya refugees and host communities. The project seeks to apply our strengthening everyday peace framework to the thorny relationship between host community and the massive refugee population who have displaced them.
Over a million Rohingya refugees have been sheltering in overcrowded camps in this southernmost part of Bangladesh, for over 6 years, after ethnic cleansing. They cannot go home to Myanmar, given the military who perpetrated those crimes are now in control of the state (after a coup), and have no long-term future in Myanmar. They are in a dire situation, with limited support and little hope for the future. They do, however, overwhelm the local host population by about 2 to 1, creating many tensions. The host community in this region were already amongst the poorer people in Bangladesh, and have now become the minority in their own land.
While the refugees are by far the most deeply impacted victims, refugee influxes are always stressful on host communities, who also become victims alongside the refugee population. In this case, the massive number of refugees arriving so quickly into such a limited area has put severe strain on the local environment, economy and socio-political context. This not only creates a difficult context to build and maintain peaceful relations and social cohesion between refugee and host communities, but also creates a high risk that pre-existing tensions between different ethnic, religious and social groups within the host community could be amplified..
Plan International run a range of programmes both in the camps and in the host communities. This project has been awarded $145,000 of DFAT funding, via our partner Plan International Australia, to seeks to enable their programme implementation to strengthening everyday peace formation, not exacerbate issues, so their activities reduce tensions between the refugees and host community.
We have conducted research into 4 main topics – AProf Anthony Ware and Dr Vicki-Ann Ware looked at human trafficking and social cohesion issues around the camps, with local colleagues. Please see the reports below. We also invited Professor Bulbul Siddiqi, Department of Political Science and Sociology, North South University, Dhaka to collaborate on research into sustainable livelihoods options for the Rohingya, and how to address the issue of recruitment in the camps to armed insurgent organisations fighting in Myanmar. Please download and read the reports, listed below.
Intended Outcomes of the Project
- Improved relations between Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar.
- Strengthened social cohesion through the application of the everyday peace framework.
- Reduced tensions arising from the refugee influx and its impact on the local environment, economy and the socio-political context.
- Empowered communities by addressing their needs and promoting mutual support.
Project Details
Project Start Date: 07/07/2021
Project Finish Date: 31/12/2025
Project Funding: Alinea International and the Whitelum Group
Reports
Human Trafficking in Cox’s Bazar: Risks, Reality and Awareness-Raising (Dec 2024)
Dr Vicki-Ann Ware, A/Prof Anthony Ware, Fatema Begum Popy, Shorifun Nahar Sheuly, Md. Ramjan Ali, Quimby Masters
Asks, do existing training and awareness-raising efforts about human-trafficking in the Rohingya refugee and host communities meet the actual needs, and reduce trafficking, in the context of the dynamics around Cox’s Bazar? Report presents analysis of data from 39 key informant interviews with camp and local civil authorities.
Impact of the 2017 Rohingya Refugee Influx on Social Cohesion Between Host Community Groups in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh (Jan 2025)
A/Prof Anthony Ware, Dr Vicki-Ann Ware, Fatema Begum Popy, Nitol Chakma
Explores ways an Everyday Peace framework might help improve social cohesion and wellbeing in Cox’s Bazar. Most research examining social cohesion is focussed on host community- refugee relations. While extremely important, these relations are secondary to this research, which is focussed on examining the relationships between different groups within the host community—particularly the social cohesion of indigenous communities with the majority host community. Presents analysis of data from 43 focus group discussions conducted in 18 different host community villages.
Protection of Vulnerable Youth Through Rohingya Self-Sufficiency and Sustainable Livelihoods, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh (Mar 2026)
Prof Bulbul Siddiqi and A/Prof Anthony Ware
With reducing funding and no immediate prospects of repatriation, this report explores sustainable self-sufficiency and livelihood solutions for the Rohingya refugee and host communities, noting the weak local economy and significant local and political opposition. Based on 35 focus group discussions, 21 key interviews, some informal discussions, and ethnographic observation, the report provides specific recommendations and notes a sustainable livelihood strategy is essential for wellbeing, security and protection.
Protection of Vulnerable Youth from Recruitment in the Rohingya Refugee camps, Cox’s Bazaar (Apr 2026)
A/Prof Anthony Ware and Prof Bulbul Siddiqi
Exploring the background of armed organisations amongst the Rohingya and their involvement in the camps, this report focusses on a detailed examination of current patterns of recruitment by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), and other armed organisations. It is based 21 key informant interviews with camp officials, Rohingya leaders, and key humanitarian staff. (Please note that this research and report were conducted independent of Plan International, the Australian Humanitarian Programme, and their partners. The views expressed in this report are those of the authors only, and do not represent these organisations in any way.)
Downloadable Reports