Kutupalong refugee camp

The Kutupalong refugee camp is the largest refugee settlement in the world.

It is located in Ukhia, within the Cox's Bazar district of Bangladesh. The camp is primarily inhabited by Rohingya refugees. These people fled from Myanmar due to ethnic and religious persecution. While the original Kutupalong Registered Rohingya Refugee camp is government-operated, many makeshift camps have grown around it. These unofficial settlements have merged together over time. The International Organization for Migration calls this massive area the Kutupalong–Balukhali expansion site.

The camp's growth happened in distinct stages. It began informally in 1991 after people fled the Burmese military's Operation Pyi Thaya. By July 2017, the combined population of the Kutupalong and Nayapara camps was about 34,000 people. However, a massive influx occurred starting August 25, 2017. Extensive attacks in Myanmar's Rakhine State forced hundreds of thousands to flee. In response, the Bangladesh government allocated 3,000 acres of forest land. This area was designed to accommodate up to 800,000 refugees. By September 2017, the population had already climbed above 77,000.

Life in the camp is defined by extreme population density. On June 30, 2020, the Kutupalong camp and expansion site held 598,545 people. These 187,423 families lived within just 13 square kilometers. This created a density of 46,042 people per square kilometer. As of June 2024, nearly 950,000 refugees live in the Cox's Bazar camps. Many people live in flimsy shelters on steep hillsides. This makes the area very dangerous during monsoon seasons. Flooding and landslides are constant risks for the residents.

The environment has changed significantly due to the settlement. By late 2019, the development had destroyed roughly 8,000 acres of forest. Over 6,164 acres were used for living spaces. Another 1,837 acres were used for firewood and bamboo. This loss was estimated to cost about US$290,400,000 in environmental value. This destruction has caused concern for local officials and environmentalists.

The loss of trees affects the entire local ecosystem.

Human-wildlife conflict is another major challenge in the region. The camps sit on historical migratory routes for Asian elephants. These elephants are considered a critically endangered species. Because the camps occupy grazing areas, dangerous encounters occur. By late 2019, these conflicts had killed at least 13 Rohingya people. To manage this, the UNHCR and IUCN created a mitigation program. They organized Rohingya volunteers into Elephant Response Teams. These teams use standardized techniques to drive elephants away safely.

There are ongoing debates about the future of the refugees. The Bangladesh government has pushed for repatriation to Myanmar. However, many Rohingya refugees have refused to return. They fear continued violence and persecution in their homeland. They demand citizenship and international observers to ensure their safety. Another plan involved moving 100,000 people to Bhasan Char. This is a silt island in the Bay of Bengal, 37 miles from the mainland. Many refugees rejected this because they feared isolation and cyclones. They also worried about the lack of farmland and forest.

The camp also faces complex social and legal issues. Authorities have placed restrictions on movement and the right to work. These rules were implemented due to concerns regarding security and stability. Local citizens have also expressed concerns about job competition. There have been struggles with human trafficking and illegal drug trades. To support the camp, the UNHCR receives help from seven international entities. These include the governments of Canada, Japan, the United States, and the European Union. They also receive support from Finland, Sweden, and the Stichting INGKA Foundation.