The humanitarian crisis caused by escalating violence
in Myanmar’s Rakhine State is causing human suffering
on a catastrophic scale. An estimated 693,000
Rohingyas have crossed over to Bangladesh following
violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state since 25 August
2017.1 The ongoing challenges in providing safe water,
sanitation and hygiene (WaSH), together with the
upcoming rainy season, risk of outbreaks of waterborne
diseases transmitted through the fecal-oral route, as
well as vectorborne diseases among others. Before this
crisis began, the country was already hosting a verified
population of well over 212,500 Rohingya from
Myanmar - and likely many more. The new arrivals are
adding massive pressure to services in existing refugee
camps and in makeshift settlements. Basic services are
now badly outstripped, including water, health, and
particularly shelter and sanitation. The crowded living
conditions in camps and settlements expose the
refugees to further risks of public and individual health.
Basic services available prior to influx became overstrained
due to massive demands on the systems and
services.