Rohingya Survivors of Massive Refugee Camp Fire
Donation protected
Rohingya communities fled genocide at the hands of the Myanmar military to live in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has been an escape from military violence but crowded living conditions, poor services, and a lack of rights have contributed to extreme vulnerability among Rohingya refugees. On March 22nd a fire ripped through one of the largest camps destroying the homes and remaining possessions of 50,000 people (this number is an unconfirmed estimate).
I have worked with the Rohingya community for the past several years both in the refugee camps, in Bangladesh, and with the global diaspora Rohingya community. I have helped support several community activists working on the ground to build CSOs. One of my very good friends lost his home, and his family lost the small shop they use to generate income.
"The fire burnt my shelter and shop of my brother. My parents and nephews and nieces were missing in escaping and after hours we found them later. Fortunately they all are safe and managed to escape to relatives in Kutupalong. They managed to escape with only what they had on their bodies. The fire burnt down thousands of shelters and made thousands homeless, at least dozens have been burnt to death mostly children and pregnant and dozens of other children are missing."
People need immediate assistance, we are working to raise $5,000 to send directly to a trusted Rohingya organizer on the ground. This money will be used to immediately pay for clothing, food, water, shelter, and medical care. The benefit of donating to this GFM is that there is no middleman and nothing will be used for admin costs. Every penny will go directly to those in the Rohingya community that need urgent assistance. I will personally be covering all transfer fees.
“Escaping from this massive fire is much worse than escaping from the violence in August 2017,” says a Rohingya refugee whose shelter was one of those thousands that have been burnt to ashes. “There’s barbed wire fencing surrounding the refugee camps. People got stuck and were not able to escape because of the fence. Thousands are homeless now, and are passing nights on the streets.”
We will be providing updates here to report on how donations are utilized. Thank you for your support at this critical time for the Rohingya community.
I have worked with the Rohingya community for the past several years both in the refugee camps, in Bangladesh, and with the global diaspora Rohingya community. I have helped support several community activists working on the ground to build CSOs. One of my very good friends lost his home, and his family lost the small shop they use to generate income.
"The fire burnt my shelter and shop of my brother. My parents and nephews and nieces were missing in escaping and after hours we found them later. Fortunately they all are safe and managed to escape to relatives in Kutupalong. They managed to escape with only what they had on their bodies. The fire burnt down thousands of shelters and made thousands homeless, at least dozens have been burnt to death mostly children and pregnant and dozens of other children are missing."
People need immediate assistance, we are working to raise $5,000 to send directly to a trusted Rohingya organizer on the ground. This money will be used to immediately pay for clothing, food, water, shelter, and medical care. The benefit of donating to this GFM is that there is no middleman and nothing will be used for admin costs. Every penny will go directly to those in the Rohingya community that need urgent assistance. I will personally be covering all transfer fees.
“Escaping from this massive fire is much worse than escaping from the violence in August 2017,” says a Rohingya refugee whose shelter was one of those thousands that have been burnt to ashes. “There’s barbed wire fencing surrounding the refugee camps. People got stuck and were not able to escape because of the fence. Thousands are homeless now, and are passing nights on the streets.”
We will be providing updates here to report on how donations are utilized. Thank you for your support at this critical time for the Rohingya community.
Organizer
Andy Riley
Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO