
Shominara
“It took us four to five days to get here from Burma We brought some snacks with us for the road, and that’s what we ate for several days. At night, we hid in the forest. We drank a bit of water when we were thirsty if we found some in the forest. We suffered a lot to get here.”
Shominara, 11-year-old, Rohingya refugee
After persecution comes protection
This massive influx of refugees has resulted in an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The urgency of their flight and the sheer scale of their displacement have increased the vulnerability of thousands of Rohingya who must now cope with the difficult living conditions and daily stresses of refugee life.
To date, the situation in Burma remains alarming. The conditions which would allow a safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to Burma are still far from being met. In this context, ensuring their needs over the long term is a priority.
Caritas Bangladesh: going beyond the emergency
As soon as the refugee crisis began, our partner Caritas Bangladesh responded immediately by building emergency shelters, clean water stations, safe latrines and showers for women and girls, as well as distributing hygiene kits and educating refugees on remaining safe in the camps.
The conviction that refugees are more than just victims is at the heart of the humanitarian work accomplished by Caritas Bangladesh. Refugees are full participants in the organization’s activities and programs. This approach ensures that emergency relief provided on the ground meets the most pressing needs, while also addressing long-term challenges, such as the poverty and inequality that make refugees vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
Caritas Bangladesh was established in 1967
Development and Peace partner since 2000 (in support of the Rohingya since 2017)
100,000 people impacted in 2017-2018 with the support of Development and Peace and Global Affairs Canada.