Written by K. M. Faisal Naeem, Communication Officer, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh May 14, 2024
In 2017, Robi was among 700,000 Rohingyas who fled violence and persecution in Myanmar and sought safety in Cox’s Bazar, in neighbouring Bangladesh.
He found himself displaced in a foreign land, in what is now considered the world’s largest refugee camp, where he had to learn to navigate hilly terrains. Robi’s use of his right hand is limited, and he has very poor eyesight in both eyes.
Things changed when, 2 years ago, he enrolled at a learning centre run by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and discovered the magic of learning. He started reading with a magnifying glass and writing with his left hand. Here, amongst other children, he is not defined by his disability. He is simply Robi – an enthusiastic learner, a dreamer, and a friend.
Access to quality education is hard to come by for many children and adolescents in camps. The situation remains particularly dire for youth between 15 and 24, who are currently not allowed to enrol in formal education.
With support from donors such as the European Union, NRC teams up with other humanitarian actors to ensure Rohingya refugees have access to education and other important services. Children with disabilities are among the most marginalised and vulnerable, so the EU stresses the importance of providing inclusive education in emergencies.
