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Bangladesh 2006: Sharing the wash area in Rasulpur camp
Photo Credit: Refugees International / Maureen Lynch
02/23/2006
Over 50,000 stateless Bihari, or stranded Pakistanis as they are also called, reside in the city of Saidpur (Syedpur) in the northwest area of Bangladesh. During a February 2006 visit, Refugees International visited a number of the camps in Saidpur, including one camp settlement called Rasulpur. Similar to the other almost 70 camps throughout the country, living conditions in Ralsupur are harsh and extremely congested, with families of six to ten people living together in one room shacks. There are only two wells and three latrines for the 50 families who live there, and this is one of the common washing areas they share. Residents have electricity and told us proudly they pay each month for the current they use. In the other provincial camps RI visited, there were no meters and no charge to the residents.
Power for the Bihari camp areas has been shut off now and then over the years since the ministry charged with caring for the Bihari had never paid for it. When power was cut off last summer, the Bihari, who are dependent on electricity for fans in seasonal heat, took their case to court since the cut offs had resulted in some deaths and illness. Many organizations, including RI, advocated for restoration of power on humanitarian grounds. The courts ruled in favor of the Bihari and electricity across the country was restored.
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