Reporter at The Daily Star and Jessore Correspondent at The Daily Star
The refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar have become overwhelmed with the recent inflow of Rohingyas arriving since November 2023, with authorities now scrambling to arrange accommodation and food for them.
Amid escalating violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, Rohingyas are trespassing into Bangladesh every day, crossing the border allegedly to escape the brutality of Myanmar’s rebel group, the Arakan Army (AA).
For city dwellers yearning for an escape from their mechanical lives, Cox’s Bazar stands as a beacon of natural beauty and serenity. Famous for its sun-kissed beaches and rolling waves, this coastal gem captivates the hearts of travelers.
221 rescued from traffickers in perilous sea journey to Malaysia
Following reports of Myanmar verifying 1,80,000 Rohingyas for potential repatriation, a wave of mixed feelings has washed over the camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
Currently, over 100,000 people are visiting Cox's Bazar daily
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has moved away from its recent decision to halve the monthly food aid for the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhashan Char.
Hotels and resorts in popular tourist spots across Bangladesh have so far got only 70 percent booking of their occupancy ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr -- down from last year’s 85 percent, according to industry insiders.
Cox's Bazar is the main hub of salt production in the country and officials estimate 38,000 metric tonnes of salt are being produced each day.
Thousands of tourists flocked to Cox's Bazar beach this weekend amid the extreme heatwave when the country has been witnessing the record high temperatures in April in 76 years
The fighting in Myanmar between the military junta and the Arakan Army across the border from Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar intensified yesterday, heightening anxiety on the Bangladesh side.
Syed Akhbar, 60, a resident of Shikdarpara village under Cox’s Bazar Sadar upazila, went to a nearby community health clinic a year ago after experiencing an unusual, recurring headache.
Powerful syndicates are involved in lifting earth and sand illegally in Cox’s Bazar, generating no less than Tk 5 crore daily from this business.
The killing of Sazzaduzzaman, 30, a forest officer in Cox’s Bazar, was not the first time that a forest official got killed by those involved in hill razing and tree felling in the forest areas of Cox’s Bazar.
The bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar through the Teknaf land port came to a complete halt on Sunday due to the escalation of the fighting in Rakhine state between the government forces in the Southeast Asian nation and the rebel Arakan Army.
Different marine species, including sea turtles and dolphins, have been dying on Cox’s Bazar shore in recent times.
A possible retaliation by Myanmar forces to regain territories in Rakhine may force more Rohingyas to enter Bangladesh in the coming days, said Rohingya leaders living in Teknaf.
Amid fighting between Myanmar troops and the rebel Arakan Army on the other side of the Naf river, a small boat carrying five Rohingyas, including a woman with bullet wounds, arrived at the Shahporir Dwip jetty in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf yesterday evening.