Ramadan food distributed to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

On Wednesday 8th May 2019, Ramadan food packs were distributed to approximately 3,000 Rohingya refugees residing in the Hakimpara camp (camp 14) of Ukhiya sub-district in the district of Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh.

The Ramadan food packs were generously funded by our UK donors and were designed with traditional food items that the Rohingya community were used to eating during the Iftar (breaking of the fast) when they had the ability to feed themselves in their own land in Myanmar.

Each food pack contained: Chickpeas (Chona Boot) 4KG, Pulse (Motor Dal) 3KG, Vermicelli (Semai) 250Grm, Sugar 2KG, Dates 2Kg, Edible oil 2Lit, Salt 2KG, Parched rice 2KG and a bottle of Rooh Afza (concentrated squash) 300 ML. Each food pack will support the Iftar needs of a family for the whole month of Ramadan.

On the occasion, Muslim Charity’s Country Coordinator, Mr Fazlul Karim commented, “More food distributions are due to take place in the coming days inshaAllah, there are still many families who have not received Ramadan food and food is one of the critical needs here in the refugee camp.” He also thanked all the donors of Muslim Charity for their generosity to feed the refugees in the blessed month of Ramadan.

“Food delivered by Muslim Charity is our only hope during the month of fasting to have Iftar as per our tradition, may Allah bless the donors” said Mrs. Amena Khatun (55), one of the beneficiaries of food distribution who resides in the refugee camp with her children and elderly husband.

Mohammad Ali (58), another refugee who lives in the camps said, “We want to go back to Myanmar, our homeland when there will be justice and we get our citizenship rights and safety. We are now safe here in Bangladesh, we need aid from everyone to meet our basic needs and live in dignity”

Commenting on his message to Muslim Charity supporters in the UK, Mohammad Ali said, “Ramadan Mubarak to all the volunteers and fundraisers of #TeamMC.”

What else Muslim Charity is doing for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh?

Since the influx of Rohingya families from Burma in 2017, we have been delivering lifesaving humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya in Bangladesh including food, shelter, household items, clothes, medical aid, water solutions and child-friendly spaces for the refugee children to overcome the trauma of violence they have faced in Burma before seeking refuge in Bangladesh.

We have secured approval from the Bangladesh government to fund the humanitarian support to Rohingya refugees, which means we have unrestricted access to the refugee camps to deliver aid on your behalf.

Who are the Rohingya Refugees?

According to UNHCR, over a million Rohingya refugees have fled violence in Burma in successive waves of displacement since the early 1990s. The Rohingya are a stateless Muslim minority from Burma. The latest exodus began on 25 August 2017, when violence broke out in the Rakhine State, driving more than 723,000 to seek refuge in Bangladesh. The vast majority reaching Bangladesh are women and children, and more than 40 per cent are under the age of 12. Many others are elderly people requiring additional aid and protection.

They have nothing and they need everything

The Rohingya who have fled to save their lives and families are now living in safety in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, but they are totally reliant on aid agencies to support them to stay alive and sustain their families.

Your donation of £50 towards one food pack enables a refugee family to get a breath of fresh air as they know that they will be able to eat comfortably for 30 days. Please click here and donate today.