Concern Worldwide has today announced that it will be stepping up its humanitarian response in Bangladesh as a result of the influx of Rohingya people crossing the border from Myanmar.
Nearly 400,000 vulnerable Rohingyas have poured into the Cox’s Bazar area of southeastern Bangladesh since violence erupted in Rakhine State, Myanmar last month.
Makeshift refugee camps are at full capacity with new arrivals, many of whom are suffering from gunshot wounds and other life-threatening injuries, urgently needing food, water, shelter, and medical assistance.
“The humanitarian need in the Cox’s Bazar area is huge and there are not enough resources to cope with the ever-increasing number of Rohingyas coming into the area.”
Concern’s efforts will focus on partnering and supporting the response of local organizations, who plan to mobilize resources and provide assistance to 40,000 people in need.
“Concern plans to provide humanitarian assistance to over 40,000 Rohingya people once it receives full approval from the government,” said Concern’s Country Director in Bangladesh A.K.M Musha. “Concern will then mobilize resources to support shelter, water, sanitation & hygiene, and nutritional support for the Rohingya population.”
Concern, which has worked in Bangladesh since 1970, is already assisting thousands of people impacted by last month’s monsoon floods, which affected more than eight million people, leaving many homeless.
“The humanitarian need in the Cox’s Bazar area is huge and there are not enough resources to cope with the ever-increasing number of Rohingyas coming into the area,” said Musha. “Many have taken refuge in makeshift camps, host communities, and anywhere they can get shelter. People are arriving wounded, many with bullet wounds in their arms, every day. The Bangladesh government, local communities and local NGO [non-governmental organization] partners, international NGOs, and the UN are supporting as best they can but they are also coping with the humanitarian problems following last month’s rains, floods, and mudslides so the situation will get worse if they don’t receive adequate support.”
“The Bangladesh government cannot deal with the huge influx of refugees — many of whom are in a desperate situation.”
“The prime minister of Bangladesh visited the area yesterday, and she spoke to the Myanmar nationals and assured her government’s support to address the humanitarian needs. She urged the international communities to put pressure on Myanmar to resolve the problem and facilitate repatriation of all the people that have taken refuge in Bangladesh.”
Brid Kennedy, Concern’s Regional Director for the Middle East and Asia, added: “The Bangladesh government cannot deal with the huge influx of refugees — many of whom are in a desperate situation — on its own and it requires increased support from the international community to help with the response.”
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