Policy Challenges towards Rohingya Crisis in Bangladesh : The Role of National Development Experts

The Rohingya crisis constitutes one of the most significant humanitarian concernsof the current world. Nearly one million Rohingya live in the congested camps ofCox's Bazar, making it the largest displacement camp in a non-conflictenvironment. The government of Bangladesh and the international community areoffering some much-needed humanitarian support to this vulnerable group ofpeople. However, the enormity and complex nature of the crisis have also createdspace for researchers, academics, and activists to get involved in the quest for adignified and sustainable solution and/or to secure justice for the crimes against theRohingyas. Based on 25 qualitative interviews with development professionalsworking on Rohingya issues, this paper explores to what extent these experts canplay a meaningful role in resolving this crisis. Our evidence suggests that anonchalant non-responsive practice limits the role of experts towards finding adignified solution to the crisis. Additionally, for national development experts(NDEs) as opposed to international experts, the space is further confined. Ourfindings also reveal that the lack of an evidence-based policy culture furthercomplicates the Rohingya crisis as locally derived expertise is often ignored inpolicy recommendations when seeking a durable yet dignified solution to theRohingya crisis