Rohingya Mother in Limbo After Son Goes Missing in Boat Tragedy

Photo: Arakan Now

Arakan Now | 18 April 2026

Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh – In an interview with Arakan Now, 60-year-old Rohingya refugee Laila Begum described the anguish of not knowing whether her son is alive or dead after he went missing during a suspected boat sinking earlier this month.

Her son, Omar Faisal, is 27, left their shelter on April 3, telling his family he could no longer bear the pressure of providing for them under increasingly dire conditions in the camps.

"He said he wanted to go because both his father and I are ill," Laila told Arakan Now. "Every month, we need medical treatment, but in the camp we only receive basic care.

According to her, accessing proper treatment requires visiting hospitals outside the camp-something the family cannot afford.

Omar was the sole breadwinner for their household of eight. Working as a daily laborer, he supported his wife, child, younger siblings, and parents. Despite receiving humanitarian aid, the family has struggled to meet basic needs.

"We receive rations, but they are not enough," she said. "Before we received 14 dollars per month. Now it has been reduced to 10 dollars. This doesn’t cover our basic needs."

Restrictions on movement and employment have further strained livelihoods for Rohingya refugees in the camps, leaving many, like Omar, under intense pressure to provide.

Day after his departure, the family began bearing reports from survivors that the boat he boarded had sunk at sea.

"They said my son was among those struggling in the water," Laila said.

However, no official confirmation has been provided.

"Until today, I do not know whether my son is alive or dead," she added. "Not knowing his fate is a pain we carry every day."

Laila has appealed to the Bangladesh authorities to investigate the incident and provide information about her son's fate.

"We are completely dependent on him, and now we are facing extreme hardship," she said.

She also called on the international community to address the broader crisis facing Rohingya refugees, including lack of education, limited opportunities, and prolonged displacement.

"We have lost our country, and now we are losing our lives slowly in the camps," she said.

Laila emphasised the need for a long term solution that ensures safe, dignified, and voluntary return to their homeland.

"We want safety, dignity, justice, and accountability," she said. Please help us. We need a future where we can live with dignity again."