  The ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis is considered as one of the largest
human-made humanitarian disasters of the 21st century. So far, Bangladesh is
the largest recipient of these refugees. According to the United Nations Office
for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), approximately 650,000
new entrants have been recorded since the new violence erupted on 25 August
2017 in the Rakhine state of Myanmar.1 However, such crisis is nothing new in
Bangladesh, nor are the security-related challenges new that such an exodus
brings with it. Ever since the military came to power in Myanmar (in 1962),
Rohingya exodus to neighboring countries became a recurring incident. The
latest mass exodus of Rohingyas from Rakhine state of Myanmar to Bangladesh is
the largest of such influxes. Unlike, the previous refugee crisis, the ongoing
crisis has wide-ranging security implications on Bangladesh. They are also
varied and multifaceted. Thus, responsibilities for ensuring effective
protection have become operationally multilateral. The problem of security
regarding the Rohingya refugee issue is complicated by the Islamist insurgency,
illicit methamphetamine/yaba drug trafficking, and HIV/AIDS/STI prevalence
factors. The chapter examines the different dimensions of security challenges
that the recent spell of Rohingya exodus brings to Bangladesh and the refugees
themselves. In order to understand the challenges, firstly the chapter attempts
to conceptualize the prominent security frameworks. Secondly, it examines the
context and political economy behind the persecution of Rohingyas in the
Rakhine state. Thirdly, it explores the political and military aspects of
security. Fourthly, it explores the social and economic dimensions. Finally, it
examines the environmental impacts of Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh.
