A/HRC/53/26/Add.3 105. An estimated 350 Rohingyas died or went missing at sea in 2022, the deadliest year since 2014. Since the start of the current dry season, in November, an estimated 12 boats carrying Rohingya refugees have been reported in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. At least one boat went missing, with all 180 Rohingyas on board presumed dead. Stronger measures, including a coordinated regional approach, are critical to protecting the many Rohingyas who risk their lives at sea in search of refuge. Bangladesh can take a leading role in this as it has done in the international arena on many initiatives related to migration. 106. Rohingyas are being driven to the high-risk sea voyages, due to growing restrictions and hopelessness in the refugee camps in Bangladesh and the unending oppression and violence in Rakhine State. They continue to embark on the journey out of desperation and vulnerability, knowing that they may face weeks or months on unseaworthy boats while being subjected to abuse by unscrupulous smugglers and traffickers, at risk of drowning at sea. 107. Rohingyas leaving Myanmar, including women and children, to journey to Bangladesh are also being pushed back. In this regard, Bangladesh has reiterated that its borders would remain closed and that no one from Myanmar would be allowed to enter the territory, due to the deteriorated situation in Rakhine State. The Special Rapporteur notes that, given the continuing volatile security situation in Myanmar, including in Rakhine State, individuals fleeing Myanmar to seek safety from serious harm remain in need of international protection. Positive initiatives 108. The Special Rapporteur was pleased to note several services provided to Rohingya through partnerships between the Government of Bangladesh, United Nations agencies and development partners, including the establishment of learning centres, adolescent centres, women’s livelihood sites and a system of volunteers comprising Rohingyas from the camps who are trained in, inter alia, response to natural disasters, including cyclones, floods and fires. 109. The Special Rapporteur met with learners in the adolescent centres who were being taught basic literacy and numeracy skills. He also visited a training and production centre where Rohingyas were provided with livelihood skills training. In the grave situation that they are in, where there seems to be a lot of despair, for many Rohingyas, as well as those who are volunteers and participants, the initiatives give a sense of hope. 110. The volunteer schemes that allow for Rohingyas to gain access to both training and incentives have given much-needed support and a sense of purpose to those served by these schemes. Although the opportunities are very limited in number, relative to the population of Rohingyas in need of support, the Special Rapporteur commends the efforts to provide these opportunities, given that these skills will support future safe and dignified repatriation efforts. These opportunities will also support the application and practice of acquired skills and capacity to mitigate security and safety challenges and enable Rohingya refugees to pursue decent and meaningful lives. 111. However, the Special Rapporteur is concerned at the protracted nature of the situation of Rohingyas in Bangladesh and the fact that, in the absence of a sustainable long-term plan, the majority of them will continue to fully rely on humanitarian assistance which is dwindling as donor funds are reducing. Food and medical shortages are threatening the future of Rohingyas. Their lack of legal status and inability to enjoy fundamental rights in Bangladesh affects their ability to earn a sustainable livelihood, forcing many to resort to other means of earning an income, often informally, in the host communities that have placed Rohingyas in further vulnerable and unsafe situations, including facing the risk of being victims of trafficking and violence, particularly against women. 112. The Special Rapporteur noted that Rohingya women and children are in particularly vulnerable situations, as many are heavily dependent on additional support and protection, whether in the camps or in their attempt to leave Bangladesh to find refuge in other countries. 113. The Special Rapporteur reiterates his appreciation to the Government of Bangladesh for receiving the influx of Rohingya refugees who are now residing in its territory. He does GE.23-08750 15