Stranded Without Bank Accounts: The Rohingya Refugees are Hurting

One refugee colony in Kalindi Kunj, Delhi, is home to 50 Rohingya Muslim families.

These people have been struggling to make ends meet post demonetisation since they have neither Aadhar cards nor other legal documents to open a bank account.

The Rohingya community is a Muslim community from the Rakhine region of Myanmar. They fled Myanmar in 2012 following the Rakhine state riots and migrated to countries like Malaysia, Bangladesh and India. India is currently home to about 13,000 Rohingyas living in refugee camps and slums – out of which 600 to 700 reside in Delhi.

Since the only identification proof they have are UNHCR cards, these Rohingyas have not been able to open bank accounts – instead stashing all their money at home.

"I own a small confectionery shop. All the money that I have saved over the past four years is at home. Half of it is in Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. I cannot get them exchanged with the UNHCR card that I have. What do I do with them now?" asked Mohammed Usman, a resident of the refugee colony.

According to the UNHCR, Rohingya refugees can obtain an Aadhar card with their UNHCR cards. But the Rohingyas claim that the process has not been easy and that the UNHCR have also been indifferent with them.

The UNHCR cards help in obtaining many facilities but not the Aadhar cards – and without the latter we cannot open bank accounts. We have been standing in queues for the past few weeks but are always sent back after they see our UNHCR cards.

Mohd. Reyaz, Rohingya refugee

Camera: Erum Gour

Editor: Puneet Bhatia