'Emergency Latrines' have been built in different camps in Cox's Bazar for Rohingya refugees who have fled from Myanmar.
But experts of sanitation and disaster management fear that due to lack of sewerage system in these latrines, there are chances of massive environmental disaster. As no effective sewerage system is used for the latrines, the camp surroundings have started to get polluted within just one month.
After visiting the Rohingya camps, the Bangla Tribune photojournalist Nasirul Islam reported that in Balukhali and Thangkhali camps latrines are being built using slabs. Only one latrine is allocated for every three to five families and every family is consisted of at least 6 members. At the entrance of the camp, it is seen that, many latrines are already filled up and putrid smell is found everywhere. Already many latrines have been closed and another has been built just beside of those.
Photojournalist Nasirul Islam said, ‘As there is a shortage of latrine, camp dwellers defecate in open areas which causes putrid smell in the air.’
Sanitation related organizations say that as it is ok for emergency sanitation. But if the Rohingya influx continues, it can take a serious shape within next six months. At the same time, as Rohingya replacement plans from the camps or plans regarding permanent toilets are not fixed yet, it will create a massive environmental threat.
Six thousand acres of reserved forest and hills of Cox's Bazar has now turned into the place for Rohingya settlement. Forest department worries that the area for Rohingya settlement may increase to eight thousand acres. According to the analysts, due to Rohingya settlement in the forest, the environment and diversity of that area have been severely damaged. Due to unplanned sanitation, air and soil will become toxic. Still these matters are out of concern of the related authorities.
On Wednesday (11th October), Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya told the reporters that 35 thousand latrines were needed in Rohingya camp. The government has already built more than seven thousand latrines. UNHCR, IOM and other NGOs will build the remaining latrines. Faria Selim, an official of the affiliated branch of UNICEF informed the Bangla Tribune that those will be concrete based latrines and said ‘Army will work to build 10 thousand latrines. They will make the septic tanks on the concrete establishment. But this work has not started yet.’
She further said, ‘If the latrines are being made with five rings (slabs) five feet high from plain land, it is acceptable as it is an emergency situation. But we do not support the concept of making latrines for a short period.’
BRAC official Morshed Moyen is working on the sanitation project for the Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar. He told the Bangla Tribune, ‘We have made more than five thousand latrines. The matter of the ring (slab) depends on the type of soil. Latrines were being made with just two rings (slabs) where water comes up after digging the soil.’
In reply to the question of whether latrines were made with just one slab anywhere, he said, ‘I don’t think so. But two or three rings latrine is there.’ When he was asked would it cause environmental disaster when the latrines would become full, he replied, ‘At that time it was necessary to build latrines urgently. Already, 28 toilets have been filled. Again, 28 have been made beside those. If there is no permanent measurement, then it will harm camp's environment and health.'
Zahid Mamun, a project manager of Water Aid, told the Bangla Tribune, ‘The work of 240 emergency latrines is underway. Half a ton bleaching powder has been put there to protect the environment. However, if this sanitation process continues for a long-term, the result will be horrific. At any time the dirt may overflow and the air will be polluted due to lack of proper cover on the dirt.’
Sanjay Mukherjee, Public Health Practitioner, who is working on sanitation for a long time said the Bangla Tribune, ‘If these slabs become full, then catastrophe will come down. It is necessary to remember that, initiatives are taken on emergency basis for the refugees. If we consider the privacy and dignity, these steps are all right. But it will work for maximum three to four months; but after that it will be impossible to manage the situation.’
Gawher Nayeem Wahra, a disaster management activist told the Bangla Tribune, ‘These are the results of improper planning. Still thousands of people are coming from Myanmar. Many people are waiting now in the no man's land. If we think that, one morning we will find that the Rohingyas have gone, then it will be a wrong assumption. Earlier, they placed only two slabs as it was an emergency. But now, the situation has changed.’
Gawher Nayeem Wahra said, ‘For proper management, it is not possible to keep them (Rohingyas) in an one place. It will be a wrong decision to make latrine away from their living place. As a result, in such a small area so many people cannot be kept.’
