Refugees net profits increase fishing village in Bangladesh

Teknaf, Bangladesh, January 31 (UNHCR) - During one of the world's longest stretches of sandy beach, groups of men each night preparing for the adventure ahead. It winds its Longyi, sarong-like wrap commonly used in the region, and board vessels guided by the light of the moon.

They come out at midnight when the sea is calmer. Some return by the next afternoon. Others may be at sea for up to 10 days, returning with hauls of fish, crabs, shrimp and other seafood. According to a local leader in a fishing village in Teknaf in southeastern Bangladesh, 95 percent of fishermen are ethnic Rohingya from Myanmar.
"This town is home to many Rohingya, between 5,000 and 10,000. Myanmar Some fled here over 20 years. They live near the beach in handmade huts. Some come from refugee camps to work here," said Salem, * a local politician in Teknaf.

Some 30,000 registered refugees are housed in two official camps - Kutupalong and Nayapara - in the south-east. In addition, an estimated 200,000 unregistered Rohingya living in makeshift camps or in the local community with assistance.

While Local rhetoric has focused on the burden of these refugees out in a densely populated area and in fact share close ties with their host communities.

"Before, we could only fish in winter, during the dry season. But the Rohingyas are bold, so you can fish all year round, even during the rainy season," said Salem in Teknaf. "People need them.'s Economy depends on them."

In return, employers in Bangladesh offer accommodation - basic huts with flimsy bamboo walls and ceilings enclosed with plastic sheeting used fishing nets covered twig frames. Fishermen and their families also receive food advances, and salary if necessary. If you are detained for registered employers intervened to secure their release.

Sounds like a win-win situation for both Rohingya and their hosts. But there's a catch. "When a Rohingya dies at sea, nothing will happen," said Salem. "Often there is no contract and no compensation to the family."

The lack of a formal social safety net means that when tragedy strikes, unregistered Rohingya families are often left to their fate.

* Aisha's husband fished here for 20 years. By not returning someday, he thought he was dead, until he received a call 12 days later. He had climbed a smuggler boat to Southeast Asia, but was held in Thailand by smugglers, who demanded money for their release.

Unable to pay and left alone with several children in Teknaf, Aisha is completely at sea about his future. "I will just continue my life," he said blankly, hoping against hope that the hospitality of his host not dry.