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‘Hope away from home’ was this year’s theme for World Refugee Day, observed annually on 20 June. UNHCR and partners marked the occasion with live art, music, storytelling, poetry, games and more, exploring art’s power to ignite hope and imagine solutions. In Dhaka, UNHCR partnered with Bangladesh’s Liberation War Museum for the second year to launch an exhibition featuring the work of 19 camp-based Rohingya photographers. Three photographers attended the opening, sharing stories and hopes with ambassadors, government officials, partners, and members of academia and civil society. In Cox’s Bazar, a ‘travelling cultural carnival’ captured imaginations through a series of events showcasing the richness of Rohingya culture. The Artmobile, a colorfully designed mobile art studio created by Rohingya and local community artists, served as a mascot as it travelled with folk musicians through the various camps.
Refugee voices led the day, celebrating the depth and diversity of Rohingya talent and reminding us of their creativity and resilience.
Earlier in June, UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly Clements made a four-day visit, meeting refugees, donors, and humanitarian and government partners. In the face of food cuts (a second ration cut took effect on 1 June, reducing the value of camp food vouchers by 33% since January) and shrinking funds, Clements called for more doors to be opened for Rohingya to support themselves: “If the Rohingya are given the opportunity to gain some income, they can purchase most of their food themselves. They want to make their own choices.” In camps, Clements visited projects exemplifying UNHCR’s resilience agenda — such as the Balukhali shelter pilot where an improved shelter design seeks to better protect refugees from extreme weather or fire, and the skills development and production centre supported by Fast Retailing, where Rohingya women learn to sew pads and underwear for women and girls in camp while earning incentives. The facility is one of several promising projects developed by UNHCR and partners that help the community stand on their own feet through teaching them valuable skills and offering meaningful opportunities to better their lives. In talks with Bangladeshi leadership in Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka, Clements spoke of ways to build upon this good work, including through partnerships with the private sector and key multi-lateral institutions such as the World Bank. She urged the international community to continue support.
June also saw the launch of activities supported by new private sector partner (PSP) Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, who join PSPs Fast Retailing, Qatar Charity and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in the Rohingya response. The Emirati foundation will support climate-smart agriculture and skills development activities for refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar. The new partnership is a step in the direction of ensuring operational sustainability as it helps strengthen communities’ capacity for self-reliance while tapping into growing private sector’s interest in creating livelihood opportunities for refugees.
Meanwhile, at the end of June, refugees celebrated the festival of Eid-ul-Adha for the sixth year away from home. Despite enduring hardship and many hard days of rain, they marked the day with characteristic generosity as the community ensured that the poorest and most vulnerable Rohingya had means to enjoy festival traditions.