A number of countries and international organisations are providing aid for the estimated 400,000 Rohingya who have taken refuge in Bangladesh after fleeing the latest wave of persecution in Myanmar.
So far, cargo planes carrying relief supplies have arrived at Chittagong airport from Azerbaijan, Turkey, Morocco, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran and the UAE.
At the same time, the Red Cross and its associates have distributed 13,375 packets of food and provided medical services to 1,447 people since the beginning of the crisis late last month. These organisations have also built 500 toilets and set up 10 tube-wells, 15 deep tube-wells and five water pumps.
Azerbaijan and Malaysia were the first countries to send aid. Azerbaijan sent 100 tons of goods on September 9 and has promised to provide more, while Malaysia sent 12 tons of relief goods that included rice, lentils, oil and sugar.
The Republic of Turkey sent 55 tons of food aid as well on September 9, as well as an ambulance and toys for the children. The food aid includes rice, vegetable oil, lentils, sugar and salt.
Also Read- Infographic: International aid for Rohingya
Indonesia sent four cargo planes carrying 34 tons of relief on September 13, while a day later Morocco sent 14 tons of goods, including tents, blankets, medicine, powdered milk, mattress and rice.
India provided 53 tons of relief on September 13 and 15. Forty tons of relief from Iran including mattresses, tents, blankets, biscuits, dry food and medicine reached Chittagong on September 15.
The UAE has given 830,000 Dirham (Tk1.83 crore/$225k) for the Rohingya.
Promises of help
Australia has pledged $5 million and Kuwait has announced $1.5 million in emergency aid.
Switzerland has said it will give Tk10.2 crore for the Rohingya and the flood-affected people, while Denmark will provide Tk25.55 crore in assistance to Myanmar and Bangladesh through the WFP and UNHCR.
The European Union has promised to provide another €3 million additional aid.
The UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, has appealed for $77 million to cope with the crisis.
The latest exodus of Rohingya from Myanmar began on August 25 after Rohingya insurgents attacked 30 police posts and an army base. The Myanmar military responded with a brutal security crackdown during which Rohingya villages were burned and their inhabitants allegedly raped and killed.
More than 400,000 Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh since then. Buddhist-majority Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya as citizens and calls them illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
This article was first published on Bangla Tribune
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