Not a happy Eid for Rohingya refugees in Kalindi Kunj camp in National Capital

The Rohingya refugees, living in the only camp at Kalindi Kunj in the national Capital, wouldn't ever have imagined that they may have to be dependent on others to provide their family and children with food and clothes this Eid-ul-Fitr.

All the 53 families lost every penny they had saved in a massive fire that gutted the entire camp about two months ago. DNA, in its 17th April's edition, had published the inhuman conditions that these refugees were forced to live in, after which the government and other NGOs had promised them a permanent house before Eid.

The Aam Aadmi Party was the first to announce a compensation of Rs 25,000 to each family, however, till now no family has received any amount are still waiting to even listen to a word from their leaders. 

However, when contacted, AAP leader Amanatullah Khan refused to comment on the issue.

However, even after two months, the hopes of a permanent shelter have now been crushed and now the only thing that these people demand is access to basic amenities first. With just two temporary toilets built in the corner of a garbage disposal area, 238 residents of these tents are forced to line up every morning and wait for their turn.

Making their lives even more difficult is the water tanker that comes once in a week, and on other days the refugees rely on neighbours to get even a bucket of water. "Although we need a water tanker every day, the Delhi Jal Board provides it only once in a week. When we talk to the board, they claim to be sending it daily, however, it reaches us only once a week," said Jaffar Alam.

Moreover, the area is also a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes as there is dirty and stagnant water around the temporary camps. But the residents are most worried about the impending monsoons as the tents are just not enough to provide enough protection from water.

"Although we are three families living under one tent the real problem for us comes when we can't even sit in the tents during the monsoon. We have taken our children and important items to a safer place now," said Kabir Ahmed.

Zuhra Begum

Zuhra Begum is one of the 283 Rohingya Musilms who had lost her house in the massive fire. Following which, the 70-year-old slipped into depression and lost her mental balance.The very fact that her husband, who was a vegetable vendor, has to depend on others for an income has taken a toll on her health. Zuhra’s husband Imam Husaain lost their only source of income when their vegetable shop was gutted. With that, he also lost his independence and the smile on his wife’s face.

Anwar Begum

Anwar Begum had come to India, after the riot in Myanmar killed her husband, even before the birth of their first child. Begum, however, decided to keep her child away from all the violence that her husband had faced hoping for a brighter future when she arrived in New Delhi with several other Rohingyas. However since the day, Begum has been trying different works to feed her only child, who is now 14. 

Speaking to DNA, Begum did mention that her first priority has been her child and she would prefer any profession that could provide her child with a better future. But now, she has been working as a daily wager at a scrapyard, where she makes about Rs 150 a day, which she says is enough for their survival, however, she mentions that this amount will never allow them to save anything. They also avoid visiting a doctor if taken ill.