This paper investigates the spatial and thematic variations in gender-based vulnerability of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. As of March of 2019, there were over 900,000 Rohingya refugees living in the Ukhiya and Teknaf Upazilas of Bangladesh.
The analysis draws on open-source spatial data from the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX), including REACH data on humanitarian infrastructure, United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) data on resource availability, and the 2017 Needs and Population Monitoring Survey conducted by IOM. Data gaps were addressed using probabilistic interpolation. The authors developed a vulnerability index and used a Pareto methodology to rank 145 refugee settlements for which sufficient data was available to calculate a vulnerability score. The vulnerability index includes variables relating to demographics, education, health, WASH, resource availability, and security.
Main results:
- Approximately a quarter (24 percent) of settlements were ranked as ‘most vulnerable’ based on their vulnerability index score.
- Thirty highly vulnerable clusters were identified, predominantly in and around the town of Cox’s Bazar.
- Clusters of low levels of gender-based vulnerability were identified near the Myanmar border in or near Kutupalong camp.
- Security and health-related variables were found to be the most significant drivers of gender-specific vulnerability in Cox’s Bazar. Clusters of low security and education vulnerability measures were observed near Kutupalong camp.
The authors conclude that there is significant spatial heterogeneity of gender-based vulnerability in Rohingya refugee settlements in the southwest of Bangladesh. Security and health variables were identified as the most significant drivers of gender-specific vulnerability in Cox’s Bazar. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and resources to address the specific vulnerabilities faced by Rohingya women and girls in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.