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Life of Rohingya refugees at Telangana's Balapur

The persecution of Rohingya Muslims by Myanmarese Buddhists are known to the world. After the communal violence increased in Myanmar, many Muslims were killed and made to leave the country. A major chunk of people who lost their houses, family members and livelihoods, shifted to Balapur, Ranga Reddy district, Telangana. (Text Courtesy | Rajitha S, Photos | R Satish Babu)
The persecution of Rohingya Muslims by Myanmarese Buddhists are known to the world. After the communal violence increased in Myanmar, many Muslims were killed and made to leave the country. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
The persecution of Rohingya Muslims by Myanmarese Buddhists are known to the world. After the communal violence increased in Myanmar, many Muslims were killed and made to leave the country. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
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Though India grants asylum and direct assistance to at least 2,00,000 refugees from its neighbouring countries, it is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 protocol. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Though India grants asylum and direct assistance to at least 2,00,000 refugees from its neighbouring countries, it is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 protocol. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
A major chunk of people who lost their houses, family members and livelihoods, shifted to Balapur, Ranga Reddy district, Telangana.(Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
A major chunk of people who lost their houses, family members and livelihoods, shifted to Balapur, Ranga Reddy district, Telangana.(Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Spread across at least five pockets in the city, the highest number of Rohingya refugees (600 families), have made Balapur, 30 km from the city’s centre, their home. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Spread across at least five pockets in the city, the highest number of Rohingya refugees (600 families), have made Balapur, 30 km from the city’s centre, their home. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
As per a survey conducted by NGO Save the Children, population as per March 2017 in Balapur is 3,800 and more live across 16 settlements. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
As per a survey conducted by NGO Save the Children, population as per March 2017 in Balapur is 3,800 and more live across 16 settlements. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
A Rohingya Muslim woman steps out of the settlement at Balapur, Telangana. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
A Rohingya Muslim woman steps out of the settlement at Balapur, Telangana. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Their living conditions, however, remain the same. Dirt, muck, garbage and muddy water lead to their tarpaulin-covered, one-roomed homes. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Their living conditions, however, remain the same. Dirt, muck, garbage and muddy water lead to their tarpaulin-covered, one-roomed homes. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
While the men here struggle to make it to the labour adda, the women engage in scrap collection and segregation, which is stored right in front of their doors. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
While the men here struggle to make it to the labour adda, the women engage in scrap collection and segregation, which is stored right in front of their doors. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
“Wherever we go, they want us to show Aadhar Cards, which we don’t have. This has limited our options. There is too much competition at the labour adda and by now the employers have their favourites,” they say.(Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
“Wherever we go, they want us to show Aadhar Cards, which we don’t have. This has limited our options. There is too much competition at the labour adda and by now the employers have their favourites,” they say.(Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Lack of any means of livelihood has left them with no scope to grow. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Lack of any means of livelihood has left them with no scope to grow. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Therefore, it does not have a national refugee protection framework. As a result, the local governments do not recognise the Rohingya Muslims as citizens. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Therefore, it does not have a national refugee protection framework. As a result, the local governments do not recognise the Rohingya Muslims as citizens. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
With the help of Self Help Groups initiated by Save the Children, women have recently started coming together to save up money for emergencies. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
With the help of Self Help Groups initiated by Save the Children, women have recently started coming together to save up money for emergencies. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Of the 3,800 Rohingya refugees living in Balapur, 1,492 are children, which makes for 50 per cent of the total population. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Of the 3,800 Rohingya refugees living in Balapur, 1,492 are children, which makes for 50 per cent of the total population. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
The highest number, 592, falls in the under five category. This clearly implies that for a majority of these children in the cluttered and congested Balapur settlement, the only home they know of, there are limited resources in place for their care, protection and education.
The highest number, 592, falls in the under five category. This clearly implies that for a majority of these children in the cluttered and congested Balapur settlement, the only home they know of, there are limited resources in place for their care, protection and education.
Refugee cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are the only proof of their identity. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Refugee cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are the only proof of their identity. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
The renewal and maintenance of these cards is being done by the NGO Confederation of Voluntary Associations. While for most families days go by without food, on several occasions, a lot of them rely on charity. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
The renewal and maintenance of these cards is being done by the NGO Confederation of Voluntary Associations. While for most families days go by without food, on several occasions, a lot of them rely on charity. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
In 2012, Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar had started migrating to Hyderabad. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
In 2012, Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar had started migrating to Hyderabad. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Neither did it make to the headline, nor has much been done for them by the state government.(Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Neither did it make to the headline, nor has much been done for them by the state government.(Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
While most of the older children choose to go to Madarsas, around a 100 of them have been mainstreamed into regular schools this year. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
While most of the older children choose to go to Madarsas, around a 100 of them have been mainstreamed into regular schools this year. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan, children in age group of 6-14 were admitted to semi-residential school where they are taught the local language. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan, children in age group of 6-14 were admitted to semi-residential school where they are taught the local language. (Express Photo Service| R Satish Babu)
Myanmar
Telangana
Rohingya Muslims
Immigration
civil war
migration
Rohingya refugees
Balapur

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