Rohingya Emergency Appeal

More than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees seeking our support.
Will you help us deliver aid to Rohingya Refugees?

In Southeast Asia, a silent humanitarian tragedy is unfolding. The Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority, have been suffering unimaginably since August 25, 2017. Over 925,000 people, more than half of them children, have been forced to leave their homes in Myanmar and seek refuge in the hilly terrains of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

They are now living in subhuman conditions in overcrowded refugee camps. The situation there is extremely painful. Children are growing up without education. Widows, orphans, and adults are grappling with the harsh realities of survival. Aid agencies are warning that the Rohingya refugees are locked in a life-or-death battle every day.

Stateless but Not Hopeless

The Rohingya people have a deep historical roots in Myanmar, but unfortunately, they have been denied citizenship in 1982, making them the largest stateless population in the world. As a result, they are deprived of basic human rights, such as education, healthcare, and employment, which perpetuates their poverty and marginalization. This systematic exclusion has led to repeated instances of violence and displacement.

A Journey of Peril and Loss

The violence that erupted in August 2017 marked the start of this crisis’s most significant and distressing phase. Families, risking everything, embarked on dangerous journeys to find safety. Unfortunately, these journeys were often plagued by misfortune and tragedy. Today, not only Bangladesh but countries like Malaysia, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Nepal have become reluctant sanctuaries for the Rohingya.

Tragic Life in Cox's Bazar

In the southern district of Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, the shelters made of bamboo and tarp provide minimal protection from natural disasters. The risk of monsoons, cyclones, and fires is high, and each disaster leaves behind a path of destruction and hopelessness. The vulnerability of these shelters also increases the chances of waterborne diseases, which is especially concerning for children and the elderly.