Faces of Humanity

 

 

The crisis:

 

Since October 2016, hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee violence in northern areas of Myanmar’s Rakhine State, into Bangladesh. Tens of thousands more continue to arrive in makeshift settlements in search of safety and shelter.

 

Many of those arriving are unaccompanied children, who may have been separated from their families or who have lost their parents or caregivers to violence.

 

Women and girls are especially vulnerable and are at risk for trafficking.

 

The needs in the makeshift settlements are great. Food, water, shelter, medical care, hygiene facilities, care for children, mental health support, are all needed.

 

The response:

 

The Canadian Red Cross is one of many humanitarian organizations who are on the ground in Bangladesh. Collaboration and coordination between countries, NGOs, and the global community is crucial to meeting needs at the source of a humanitarian crisis.

 

The Red Cross and Red Crescent are working around the clock to help those who have been affected. This includes a 60-bed hospital with an operating theatre and an isolation unit, providing essentials like food, water, personal care items, and psychosocial support. As well as mobile medical teams walk hours into the camps every day to reach the most vulnerable who might not otherwise receive assistance. 

 

Special areas have been set up for children, and to help protect women and girls.

 

Canadian Red Cross aid workers have been helping to provide medical care, psychosocial support, child protection, and to help tell the stories of the people who are living in makeshift settlements.   

 

Learn more about the situation in Bangladesh, and how we are helping.