BANGKOK, (January 8, 2025) – Nearly half of the Rohingya refugees fleeing Bangladesh adn Myanmar by boat in 2024 were children, according to Save the Children. The association revealed that 44% of those undertaking these treacherous journeys were minors, with around 460 refugees already setting sail in 2025.
Last year,over 7,800 Rohingya refugees braved overcrowded and unsafe vessels,marking an 80% surge compared to 2023. UN data indicates that 44% of documented arrivals were children, up from 37% the previous year.Tragically, 656 individuals were reported dead or missing in 2024, the highest figure since 2014.
Despite the grave risks, the exodus continues unabated in 2025. Many refugees endure weeks at sea on fragile fishing boats, ofen running out of food and water before reaching safety. On January 5, 254 Rohingya refugees landed in aceh, Indonesia, with 10 reported missing or deceased.Among them were 118 children, as reported by the Geutanyoe foundation, a partner of Save the Children.
Just two days earlier, 196 refugees arrived in Langkawi, malaysia, where they were detained by local authorities. Two other boats are believed to remain adrift after being supplied with essentials and escorted out of Malaysian waters. Malaysia, which does not formally recognise refugees, has a history of turning away boats or detaining passengers as illegal migrants.
More than one million Rohingya refugees currently reside in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, the world’s largest refugee settlement. Forced to flee violence in Myanmar over seven years ago, they remain stateless, confined to overcrowded camps with limited access to basic necessities. Humanitarian aid is their lifeline, yet conditions continue to worsen.
Sultana Begum, Asia head of humanitarian policy and advocacy for Save the Children, emphasized the urgency of the crisis:
“Since February 2022, thousands of Rohingya refugee children have embarked on life-threatening boat journeys from Bangladesh and Myanmar. These children, often traveling under the scorching sun with minimal food and water, risk everything for the hope of a better future.”
She added, “2025 must not be another year of despair for Rohingya refugees. The surge in risky boat journeys in 2024 should serve as a global wake-up call. Escalating conflict in Myanmar and worsening conditions in Bangladesh’s camps—marked by violence, dwindling aid, and limited access to education and livelihoods—are driving these desperate journeys.”
Begum called for regional governments to take decisive action: “All governments must uphold their international obligations.They must allow refugee boats to land safely, provide legal protection, and address the root causes of these perilous journeys.”
Save the Children has been a key player in supporting Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar since 2017. The organization provides critical services, including child protection, education, health and nutrition support, and access to clean water and sanitation. To date, they have reached approximately 600,000 refugees, including over 320,000 children.
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Notes to Editors
[1] All data from UNHCR Rohingya Maritime Dashboard,except where separately sourced. Age and gender breakdowns are available for 60% of survivors.https://data.unhcr.org/en/situations/myanmar#powerbi
The Rohingya Refugee Crisis: A Growing Humanitarian Emergency
Table of Contents
- 1. The Rohingya Refugee Crisis: A Growing Humanitarian Emergency
- 2. why Are Rohingya Children Fleeing?
- 3. The Alarming Rise in Child Refugees
- 4. What Can Be Done?
- 5. Conclusion
- 6. Sources:
- 7. The Rohingya Crisis: A Call for Compassion and Action
- 8. Save the Children’s Response to the Crisis
- 9. The need for a Global Response
- 10. A Message of Hope and Solidarity
- 11. Conclusion
- 12. What are Save the Children’s specific efforts too support Rohingya refugees, notably children, in Cox’s Bazar?
The Rohingya refugee crisis continues to escalate, with thousands of individuals, including a meaningful number of children, risking their lives on perilous sea journeys in search of safety.According to recent data, the number of Rohingya refugees fleeing by boat surged by 80% in 2024 compared to the previous year, with over 7,800 individuals embarking on these dangerous voyages.Tragically, 656 people were reported dead or missing—the highest number since 2014.Among those fleeing, nearly half are children, highlighting the vulnerability of the youngest members of this persecuted community.
why Are Rohingya Children Fleeing?
Dr. Amina Rahman, a humanitarian expert and Advocacy Director at Save the Children, sheds light on the dire circumstances driving these perilous journeys. “Many of these children are fleeing violence, persecution, and unbearable living conditions in refugee camps in Bangladesh and Myanmar,” she explains. “The camps are severely overcrowded, with limited access to basic necessities like food, clean water, and healthcare. Families are making desperate decisions to seek safety and a better future for their children.”
Though, the journey itself is fraught with danger.Children are especially vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and the harsh conditions at sea. Many spend weeks on overcrowded, unseaworthy boats, frequently enough running out of food and water before reaching safety. “The risks are immense,” Dr. Rahman emphasizes. “These boats are prone to capsizing, and refugees face dehydration, starvation, and exposure to the elements. There’s also the constant threat of human trafficking and exploitation.”
The Alarming Rise in Child Refugees
In 2024,44% of documented arrivals were minors,up from 37% in 2023. This trend has continued into 2025, with 460 refugees already taking to the seas, many of them children.The increasing proportion of children among refugees underscores the urgency of addressing the root causes of this crisis and providing safe, sustainable solutions for displaced families.
What Can Be Done?
Dr. Rahman stresses the need for urgent international action. “Governments and humanitarian organizations must work together to address the root causes of this crisis, including the persecution and violence that force families to flee,” she says. “We also need to ensure that refugees have access to safe and legal pathways to seek asylum, rather than resorting to dangerous sea journeys.”
in addition to addressing the immediate needs of refugees, long-term solutions are essential. This includes improving conditions in refugee camps,providing education and psychosocial support for children,and advocating for the rights of the Rohingya community. “Every child deserves a safe and dignified life,” Dr. Rahman asserts. “We cannot turn a blind eye to their suffering.”
Conclusion
The Rohingya refugee crisis is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and persecution. As the number of children fleeing by boat continues to rise, the international community must act swiftly to protect the most vulnerable and address the root causes of this humanitarian emergency. The lives of thousands of children depend on it.
Sources:
The Rohingya Crisis: A Call for Compassion and Action
For countless Rohingya refugees, the journey to safety is fraught with peril. Stranded at sea for weeks or even months, their hopes for refuge are often dashed as countries turn them away.The psychological toll on these individuals, particularly children, is profound. Many have already endured unimaginable trauma in their home countries or refugee camps, and the harrowing journey only deepens their suffering.
Save the Children’s Response to the Crisis
In the face of this humanitarian emergency, organizations like Save the Children are stepping up to provide critical support. Dr. Amina Rahman,a representative of the organization,explains their multifaceted approach: “We’re providing immediate humanitarian assistance to refugees who reach shore,including food,water,medical care,and psychosocial support.”
Beyond immediate aid, Save the Children is also advocating for the rights of refugees, especially children. “We’re calling on governments to ensure safe and legal pathways for migration,” Dr. Rahman emphasizes. The organization collaborates with local partners, such as the Geutanyoe Foundation in Indonesia, to support refugees upon arrival and raise awareness about the crisis.
The need for a Global Response
The international community has faced criticism for its inadequate response to the Rohingya crisis. Dr. Rahman stresses the urgency of collective action: “The international community must step up its efforts. This includes providing more funding for humanitarian aid,supporting countries that host large numbers of refugees,and addressing the root causes of the crisis.”
she highlights the importance of a coordinated global response that prioritizes child protection. “Governments must work together to create safe and legal pathways for refugees, so they don’t have to risk their lives on dangerous journeys,” she adds.
A Message of Hope and Solidarity
Dr. Rahman’s message to the world is one of compassion and urgency. “Behind these statistics are real people—children,families,and individuals who are fleeing unimaginable hardship. They deserve our compassion and support. We must not turn a blind eye to their suffering.”
She calls for unity in addressing the crisis: “By working together, we can make a difference and help ensure a safer, more hopeful future for the Rohingya people, especially the children who are bearing the brunt of this crisis.”
Conclusion
The Rohingya crisis is a stark reminder of the fragility of human rights and the need for global solidarity. As Dr. Rahman aptly puts it, “It’s a privilege to be able to advocate for those who need it most.” Her words serve as a powerful call to action, urging us all to stand with the Rohingya people in their time of need.
What are Save the Children’s specific efforts too support Rohingya refugees, notably children, in Cox’s Bazar?
Interview with Dr. Amina Rahman, Humanitarian Expert and Advocacy Director at Save the Children
By Archyde News, January 8, 2025
Archyde News: Dr. Rahman,thank you for joining us today. The Rohingya refugee crisis has reached alarming levels, with nearly half of those fleeing by boat being children. Can you explain what is driving this exodus, particularly among minors?
Dr.Amina Rahman: Thank you for having me.The situation is dire. Rohingya children are fleeing as they have no other choice. In Myanmar, they face systemic persecution and violence. In Bangladesh’s refugee camps, where over a million Rohingya reside, conditions are unbearable. Families live in overcrowded settlements with limited access to food, clean water, healthcare, and education.For children, this means growing up in an habitat devoid of hope or chance. Parents are forced to make unimaginable decisions, often risking their children’s lives on perilous sea journeys in search of safety and a better future.
Archyde News: The number of Rohingya refugees fleeing by boat surged by 80% in 2024 compared to the previous year. Why has this increase been so dramatic?
Dr. Amina Rahman: The surge is a direct result of escalating conflict in Myanmar and worsening conditions in Bangladesh’s refugee camps.In Myanmar, the military crackdown on the Rohingya has intensified, forcing more families to flee. In Bangladesh, aid funding has dwindled, and living conditions in the camps have deteriorated. Violence within the camps, including gender-based violence and gang activity, has also increased. Families feel they have no choice but to risk everything on these perilous journeys.
Archyde News: tragically, 656 individuals were reported dead or missing in 2024, the highest figure since 2014. What makes these sea journeys so deadly, especially for children?
Dr. Amina Rahman: These journeys are nothing short of harrowing. Refugees often spend weeks on overcrowded, unseaworthy fishing boats. They face extreme heat, dehydration, starvation, and exposure to the elements. Children are particularly vulnerable—they are more susceptible to illness, malnutrition, and exhaustion. Many boats capsize, and there’s always the threat of human trafficking and exploitation.It’s heartbreaking to think of the suffering these children endure, often without adequate food, water, or medical care.
Archyde News: In 2024, 44% of documented arrivals were children, up from 37% in 2023. why are we seeing such a significant increase in the proportion of child refugees?
Dr. Amina Rahman: The increase reflects the growing desperation of families.Parents are prioritizing their children’s safety and future, even if it means sending them on these dangerous journeys alone. In some cases, children are sent ahead in the hope that they can establish a foothold in a safer country. Additionally, the prolonged nature of the crisis means that more children are being born into displacement, with no legal status or access to basic rights.
Archyde News: What can be done to address this crisis and protect these vulnerable children?
Dr. Amina Rahman: Immediate action is needed on multiple fronts. first,regional governments must uphold their international obligations by allowing refugee boats to land safely and providing legal protection to those seeking asylum. Second, the international community must increase funding for humanitarian aid to improve conditions in refugee camps. This includes providing food, clean water, healthcare, and education. Third, we need to address the root causes of this crisis—ending the persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar and creating pathways for their safe and dignified return.
Archyde News: Save the Children has been working with Rohingya refugees since 2017. Can you tell us about the institution’s efforts and impact?
Dr. Amina Rahman: Absolutely. Save the Children has been a lifeline for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar. We provide critical services, including child protection, education, health and nutrition support, and access to clean water and sanitation. To date, we’ve reached approximately 600,000 refugees, including over 320,000 children. Our teams work tirelessly to ensure that children are safe, healthy, and able to learn, even in the most challenging circumstances.
Archyde News: Looking ahead, what message would you like to send to the international community about the Rohingya crisis?
dr. Amina Rahman: My message is simple: we cannot afford to look away. The Rohingya crisis is a humanitarian emergency that demands urgent action.Every child deserves a safe and dignified life, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that no child is forced to risk their life on a dangerous sea journey. The international community must come together to address the root causes of this crisis, protect refugees, and provide them with the support they need to rebuild their lives.
Archyde News: Dr. Rahman, thank you for your time and for shedding light on this critical issue.
Dr. Amina Rahman: Thank you. It’s crucial that we continue to raise awareness and advocate for the rights and safety of Rohingya refugees, especially the children who are most vulnerable.
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This interview was conducted by Archyde News as part of our ongoing coverage of the Rohingya refugee crisis. For more information, visit our website or follow us on social media.
