The Myanmar government is continuing to defy the international community denying humanitarian access to the Rakhine state where atrocities by its security forces forced more than 600,000 Rohingyas cross into Bangladesh since August 25. The August crackdown followed another campaign that began in October, 2016.

The continuous disregard by Myanmar for the repeated appeals by the international community including the United Nations is making the scenario helpless and increasing the number of Rohingyas in Bangladesh, according to multiple diplomatic sources.

Since August 25, the newly arrived Rohingyas joined nearly 4.5 lakh compatriots who had arrived earlier, they said, adding that the horrific stories of the new arrivals make even officials with decades of experience reduce to tears.

“To be frank, it’s a hopeless situation and at this stage the international community appears to be at the mercy of the Myanmar government,” said a senior diplomat.

“Only a unanimous resolution at the UN security council can make a difference. And, as we speak it is highly unlikely given to the known opposition of the two permanent members – China and Russia,” he said.

The sources also said that the third month into the crisis which, according to many, saw the movement of largest number of people within in recent times, the world is yet to know as to how many people have been killed, how many women raped and how many houses burnt.

There have been some visits to the affected areas by the members of the international community, but none of them was allowed to visit the sites of their own choices, they said, adding that whatever destruction they saw was from the aircraft and the vehicles they were using.

“Literally, those were guided tours included the one which had Bangladesh’s ambassador to Myanmar Sufiur Rahman,” said another diplomat.

“Even, as far as we know the delegation that recently visited Myanmar before coming to Bangladesh could not visit the areas they desired to visit. Same thing happened to UN assistant high commissioner for refugees Volker,” he said.

“Let alone allowing any team or international media to investigate the atrocities or anything else, the Myanmar authorities are not even allowing people belonging to humanitarian organisations. There are so many people out there in Rakhine state who are in desperate need of food and shelter,” said another diplomat.

“What is happening in Rakhine is nothing but violations of human rights in the extreme,” he said.

When asked if there is any possibility for things to change in near future, the diplomat said, “It’s anybody’s guess as to when good sense will prevail among people of the Myanmar government.”

However, he added that it is expected that the proposed joint working group between Bangladesh and Myanmar will be formed within this month and after that there may be a change in the situation with regard to access.