Special collection for Rohingya refugees

Donations will be matched dollar for dollar until today

Caritas Canada took up a special collection at weekend masses throughout the diocese of Charlottetown and is calling upon the generosity of Islanders.

Donations will be matched dollar for dollar until today.

More than 600,000 people from the Muslim Rohingya have fled their country to take refuge in Bangladesh where they are living in unhealthy and insecure conditions.

They had to flee the Myanmar army’s atrocities as quickly as possible, leaving behind burnt villages as well as their cattle and possessions.

Development and Peace sent $50,000 to its partner, Caritas Bangladesh, as soon as the crisis began, to help provide food for thousands of the most vulnerable people.

Funds collected will be used to respond to health and water needs, as well as provide shelter, food, and other essential items for Rohingya refugees in the district of Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh.

For information, contact Mary Boyd at 902-892-9074.

Stephane Vinhas, emergency relief program officer for Development and Peace, said humanitarian aid is essential so that the refugees can survive.

“The refugees had to flee Myanmar to seek refuge in Bangladesh and the breath of their displacement has increased the vulnerability of thousands of children, women and men who now have little to no access to basic necessities and services,’’ Vinhas said.

“The Rohinga community is not only stateless, it is one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. The United Nations describes the situation as ‘ethnic cleansing’ and it would seem important to support this population, which has been facing discrimination for a number of yeas.’’