7 agencies call on Canadians to support the Rohingya Crisis appeal

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The Humanitarian Coalition and its member agencies welcome the Government of Canada’s decision to launch the Myanmar Crisis Relief Fund for the response to the Rohingya Crisis. Canadians have until November 28 to see their donations matched by the government into a response pool for the Rohingya Crisis.

Donations made to the Humanitarian Coalition’s joint appeal will be shared by its seven member agencies. By working together, these agencies are able to reduce competition for donations, limit fundraising costs and thereby provide a more effective response to this humanitarian disaster.

“The massive influx of arrivals, the ongoing monsoon season and the lack of access to safe water, food and sanitation are increasing the risk of the spread of disease. Without humanitarian aid, their lives are at risk,” says Richard Morgan, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Coalition. “Individual Canadian contributions, no matter how small, will help us respond to the urgent needs of people fleeing violence at home. Aid is getting through, but the needs are great. Together, we can save more lives.”

With the Government of Canada’s matching fund, donations will have double the impact.

Our member agencies are on the ground providing clean drinking water, medical assistance, food, sanitation facilities, building materials, plastic sheets, and other essential supplies to those in need. They are also providing safe spaces for women and children, who make up the majority of refugees and displaced people.

We encourage all Canadians to rush life-saving aid by donating at www.together.ca

Situation Update:

• Since August 2017, more than 600,000 Rohingya people have fled to Bangladesh to escape violence in Myanmar. They join an estimated 300,000 refugees already in Bangladesh who fled previous spikes in violence.

• Thousands of people are still arriving each day, some having walked 14 days to reach safety.

• Approximately 80% are women and children who need life-saving assistance now, including food, shelter, water and health services.

Quotes:

Nurkaida, 13, fled to Bangladesh with her mother and three brothers after her father, a farmer, died of a gunshot wound in September 2017.
“We had our own house, cattle, a hand pump, a big toilet and I had my own room. My friends used to come round all the time, and we had a big yard where we all played. It’s so different here. The tent is small, water is very scarce, there are no toilets and it is hard with so little food. I only have one set of clothes and everything becomes wet during the day because it’s always raining.”

Hossein, 7, is from Myanmar. He now lives in Balukhali Camp in Bangladesh with his mother and siblings.
“My father was arrested in Myanmar, many months ago. Even though my brother is bigger, I am the oldest so I take on the duties. I like to go and get the food for us. I want my mother, brothers and sisters to be happy and healthy. I like the rice. But I make sure the baby eats first. I have been here for 26 days now. We live close to other women and their families, so we feel safe. At night it is very noisy, but I try not to get scared. Of all the things I miss from Myanmar, I miss my dad the most.”