“We are praying from home”: reflections on the pandemic from resettled Rohingya refugees

Purpose The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were felt acutely by resettled refugee communities around the world. Adjusting to life in a new country typically presents a host of challenges that must be met by newly resettled refugees, and these challenges were no doubt compounded by the pandemic. The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of resettled Rohingyan refugees living in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a grounded theory approach to derive meaning from qualitative interviews conducted with 21 Rohingyan refugees. This study embodied an emic design by involving the community in the development, conduction and interpretation of the data, rooting itself in the recognition of Rohingyan expertise and understanding. Findings The data yielded three major themes: financial instability, disruptions in access to health care and mental health distress. In addition, two minor themes were established: disruptions to everyday life and impacts on religious practices. Originality/value Little is known about the resettlement experiences of the Rohingyan people, who are arguably some of the most marginalized among refugees. With no written language shared among Rohingyans, communication barriers exacerbate an already challenging resettlement trajectory. The insights provided through this study are key to understanding the unique needs and strengths of Rohingyan refugees and will be valuable in shaping interventions to support their successful resettlement.