Sanitation and Health at West Bengal Refugee Camps in the 1950s

Abstract

East Pakistan refugees arrived at West Bengal in different phases and were grouped into two categories: the ‘old’ arriving during 1946-1958, and the ‘new’ during 1964-1971. The West Bengal Government took the responsibility of rehabilitation of the ‘old’ refugees, but not the ‘new’ ones; eventually it did, but only on the condition that they re-settle outside the state. But even the old refugees staying at the camps of West Bengal received atrocious treatment. This paper focuses on sanitary and health conditions at the old refugee camps in the 1950’s. Although the Government assumed a policy of relief, surprisingly, hardly anything was provided to the refugees staying at the camps. Also, neither proper medical aid nor proper sanitary arrangements were provided to them. Lack of proper sanitary conditions in the camps led to the spread of infectious diseases that took epidemic proportions. This was in sharp contrast to the northern Indian camps where medical aid was provided systematically.