Elderly Rohingya die on the way or arrive sick to camp

By Mutasim Billah

COX’SBAZAR, Bangladesh

“It would be better, if we were shot dead in Myanmar,” 70 year old Nasima Khatun told Anadolu Agency as she wept intermittently, Thursday.

She has come to Bangladesh from Buchidang, Myanmer, and has run out of physical strength while undertaking the long journey to cross the border.

Nasima explains, she feels pain all over her body. Rainwater invades her small place in the camp keeping her awake; as if she were self-imprisoned in the muddy camp.

She has a twelve year old son. Two other sons died earlier. With her husband, she crossed seven hills on foot to reach Bangladesh. Both food and living conditions are poor in the camp. She has worn the same dress for eight days.

Sayeeda Banu, 60, has similar flashbacks. She, too, traveled far with her husband.

The memory of thousands of mutilated bodies flickers into her mind.

She does not wish to go back there. Sayeeda feels pain when she moves and says her prayers for a speedy recovery.

Her husband Muhammad Sultan, 68, was a farmer. They had land, rice, eight cows, four goats and different types of spices.

They left everything just to find a safe place.

Now, they stretch their hands for food. Sometimes they find it and sometimes food is rare. They are living in Tengkhali Camp.

According to the latest survey of ISCG(20, sep) 429,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since the 25th of August. 145,000 have taken refuge in the camps. 196,000 Rohingya are staying on hills and under small tents and near places of camp. 88,000 are living with relatives who left previously.

Salamat Ullah, 60, has six sons and daughters who fled to Bangladesh a week ago. He was a government officer, retired from his job a year ago and made a nice house in Buchidong, Myanmar.

He had 17 cows and lot of fertile land.

To save their lives, he left Myanmar and left all their properties. Now they are facing challenges to survive.

The man who never stretched his hand for help, is fighting today for food to meet his hunger pains.

Almaskatu is a woman of 70, she has two sons, the youngest, Mojammel, was taken away from his house. Almaskatu has fled to Bangladesh with her daughter in law and her two year old granddaughter.

They hid in a jungle for seven days without food. After arriving to Bangladesh they have got food and clothes but could not bathe.

Her suffering is intensified by the anxiety of her missing son.

She prays that peace might return to Myanmar, she wants to go back.

Almaskatu was deprived of relief materials because most of them were distributed on the main roads, she couldn't get there.

Jakaria, 21, has also come to Bangladesh from Buchidong in Myanmar. He has seen many old men and women remain on the hills since they were unable to walk further on foot.

Their relatives have keep feeding with them. However, many of the elderly died on the way, Jakaria told Anadolu Agency.