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OVERVIEW
In 2024, escalating conflict and humanitarian needs in Rakhine state, Myanmar, prompted a significant rise in Rohingya cross-border displacement (UNGA 25/10/2024; UNHCR accessed 21/03/2025). While many Rohingya people have fled Rakhine state for camps in Cox’s Bazar district in Bangladesh, rising insecurity in these camps is also driving Rohingya people to leave Bangladesh for Malaysia, Indonesia, and other regional destinations (KII 29/01/2025; KII 17/02/2025 a; KII 17/02/2025 b).
In total, UNHCR documented a 130% increase (4,400 to 9,200) in Rohingya people making sea or river journeys from both Myanmar and Bangladesh between 2023–2024, along with 2,100 people making land journeys. High rates of documented journeys have continued into 2025, with around 1,200 sea or river journeys alone documented until 22 March, representing a 25% increase from the same period in 2024 (970 sea or river journeys) (UNHCR accessed 07/04/2025).
Actual movement rates are likely far higher, as humanitarian access constraints, covert movements (often controlled by smugglers), and increasing use of mixed overland and maritime routes limit collection of accurate data (UNHCR 07/03/2025; KII 27/02/2025 a). There are also a high number of unsuccessful movements, ending in arrest and detention, refoulement, and deaths while travelling (KII 10/02/2025 b; KII 17/02/2025 c; KII 03/02/2025; KII 27/02/2025 b;
Protection Cluster 20/02/2025).