Mercy seeks funds to help Rohingya
KUALA LUMPUR: Mercy Malaysia needs about RM3 million for immediate relief on the ground in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh where thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled after being persecuted by the Myanmar authorities.
Relating his experience at Cox’s Bazar, Mercy Malaysia’s senior programme officer Muhammad Abdullah Abd Wahab Ishari said stories in the media are just a small glimpse of the humanitarian crisis being faced by the minority group.
“The Rohingya exodus from Myanmar into Bangladesh is perhaps the most tragic thing I have witnessed first hand, to date.
“The official encampment that was set up a few years back housed around 16,000 Rohingya. Now however, there are more than 70,000 of them unofficially there – with 30,000 more said to be seeking refuge outside the designated encampment area,” he said at a press conference yesterday.
Muhammad Abdullah said if one was forced to stay outside of the official encampment, it would break a person.
“If you are hungry or thirsty, there is nothing for you, apart from infrequent rainwater and puddles of muddy water.
“There is no shelter for you, it’s just you against nature in an overcrowded space,” he said.
Mercy Malaysia president Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus said the Mercy team has been at the refugee site since Sept 9 and aid is much needed.
“There is a sense of urgency to cater to the needs of the refugees in Cox’s Bazar and the needs of Internally Displaced People in Myanmar.
“With the increasing number of displaced people and lack of space in safe locations, ensuring access to food, water, sanitation, healthcare and hygiene kits, as well as non-food items such as blankets are much needed, he said.
“However, with all the assistance that we and other humanitarian agencies have provided, we still cannot solve the problem of the Rohingya.
“To do that will take political intervention,” he added.
Donations to the Rohingya refugee cause in Cox’s Bazar can be made to Mercy Malaysia’s Rohingya Relief Fund, while donations for Internally Displaced People in Myanmar can be made to its Myanmar Relief Fund.
Both can be done through Mercy Malaysia’s website at www. mercy.org.my.