We just returned from visiting the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.
We heard firsthand stories from Rohingya who survived the genocide, but their loved ones did not. Their villages were burned. They walked for days without food to reach the camps in Bangladesh, only to face new threats of violence and trafficking from gangs, as well as frequent fires and landslides.
Just after our return home, a devastating fire broke out in camp #1W, burning down thousands of shelters and killing one child, with many others injured.
When interviewing a psychologist during our visit, we learned that fire is a trigger for many Rohingya, as their houses were burned down by the Arakan Army in Burma. A Rohingya woman we interviewed in camp #5 repeatedly mentioned her biggest fear in the camps is fire. Another woman we interviewed had already lost everything in three fires since arriving in the camps in 2017.
For the past seven years, the Rohingya have been struggling with lack of sufficient food, basic necessities, education, and employment opportunities. Women face unique challenges, such as lack of privacy when using the public outhouse, harassment, and domestic abuse.
Our Rohingya brothers and sisters are desperately in need of protection and peace.
Burma Task Force, a coalition of 38 organizations led by Justice For All, has been fighting for the Rohingya since 2012. With the testimonies we collected and survey results, we will be issuing a detailed report on the status of Rohingya women in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh refugee camps.
Will you bring hope to these survivors of genocide?
Support our advocacy work for the Rohingya by clicking below to make a tax-deductible donation.
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