Doctors Without Borders surveys estimate that at least 6,700 Rohingya were killed during the attacks in Myanmar

In early November Doctors Without Borders conducted six retrospective mortality surveys in different sections of the refugee settlements in Cox’s Bazar, just over the border from Myanmar, in Bangladesh. The total population of the areas covered by the surveys was 608,108 people; of which 503,698 had fled Myanmar after 25 August.

The overall mortality rate between 25 August and 24 September of people in households surveyed was 8.0/10,000 persons per day. This is equivalent to the death of 2.26% (between 1.87% and 2.73%) of the sampled population. If this proportion is applied to the total population that had arrived since 25 August in the camps which were covered by the surveys, it would suggest that between 9,425 and 13,759 Rohingya died during the initial 31 days following the start of the violence, including at least 1,000 children below the age of five years.

The surveys show that of these deaths at least 71.7% were due to violence, including among children under 5 years old. This represents at least 6,700 people, including 730 children. Overall, gunshots were the cause of death in 69% of the violence-related deaths, followed by being burnt to death in their houses (9%) and beaten to death (5%). Among children below the age of 5 years, more than 59% killed during that period were reportedly shot, 15% burnt to death in their home, 7% beaten to death and 2% died due to landmine blasts.

Consequently, the signing of an agreement for the return of the refugees between the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh is premature. Rohingya should not be forced to return and their safety and rights need to be guaranteed before any such plans can be seriously considered.

Epidemiology surveys

• Health Survey in Kutupalong and Balukhali Refugee Settlements, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

• Retrospective mortality, nutrition and measles vaccination coverage survey in Balukhali 2 & Tasnimarkhola camps

• No one was left: Death and Violence Against the Rohingya in Rakhine State, Myanmar

Doctors Without Borders first worked in Bangladesh in 1985. Close to the Kutupalong makeshift settlement in Cox’s Bazar district, and since 2009, Doctors Without Borders has run a medical facility and a clinic offering comprehensive basic and emergency healthcare, as well as inpatient and laboratory services to Rohingya refugees and the local community. In response to the influx of refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Doctors Without Borders has significantly increased its presence in the area, with expanded operations covering water, sanitation and medical activities for the refugee population.

Elsewhere in Bangladesh, Doctors Without Borders works in Kamrangirchar slum, in the capital, Dhaka, providing mental health, reproductive healthcare, family planning and antenatal consultations, as well as an occupational health programme for factory workers.