Description
The Rohingya are a persecuted Muslim majority from the Buddhist nation of Myanmar. The authorities have used oppressive tactics such as burning down homes and villages in order to force the Rohingya to escape to neighbouring Bangladesh, over one million of them. The United Nations have stated that the Burmese military’s actions against the Rohingya is “a textbook example of ethnic cleansing”. In Bangladesh, although they are safe from violence, they still face poverty, malnutrition and starvation.
“Many people [Rohingya refugees] are arriving [in Bangladesh] hungry, exhausted and with no food or water,” said Mark Pierce of Save the Children charity, adding; “I’m particularly worried that the demand for food, shelter, water and basic hygiene support is not being met due to the sheer number of people in need. If families can’t meet their basic needs, the suffering will get even worse and lives could be lost.”
Caravan of Mercy already have humanitarian operations in Bangladesh and we use our agents there to purchase and distribute aid to to refugees at the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.
To donate towards specific projects for West Bengal please see the appropriate cause: