“You gain no victory or livelihood except through (the blessings and invocations of) the poor amongst you.” (Bukhari)
Bangladesh is widely considered to be one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change which has consequently affecting millions of its people. Increasing levels of rains have caused excessive flash floods and therefore caused the devastation of homes and livelihoods while displacing hundreds of thousands of people. Vastly struggling with the effects of climate change, the influx of over one million Rohingya refugees through its borders has stretched the resources of the country to breaking point. At Crisis Aid we believe it is our duty to help this poor country who is not only an innocent victim of climate change but who is trying to help their persecuted brothers and sisters from Myanmar.
The country’s environmental condition is exacerbated by the fact that is covered by the world’s largest delta and has 700 rivers. Although the country is prone to natural calamities like floods and cyclones, they have recently intensified. As a result, they have caused devastation of homes and livelihoods across the nation, especially as it is one of the world’s most densely populated countries.
Because of rising sea levels, some rural areas in Bangladesh have been completely submerged underwater, forcing families to flee to the slums of nearby cities like the capital Dhaka. Reports suggest that in recent years up to one million people have fled their homes due to excessive flooding during the monsoon season, the majority of which are women and children. As a result, many displaced people are living in dire conditions, lacking basic needs like food and clean water. By donating just £20, Crisis Aid will, on your behalf, provide one desperate family with a food parcel lasting a month.
Ironically, although Bangladesh has struggled with excessive flooding, its people struggle to find clean drinking water. Consequently, people are being forced to drink from polluted rivers, canals and ponds, which lead to illnesses and death. Crisis Aid recognises this need for water and is operating in many areas to provide water pumps for remote communities.
The Rohingya, who are widely recognised as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world, had to flee their homes to find safety in Bangladesh. Living in makeshift tents in refugee camps in places like Cox’s Bazar, they have no status or any type of future to look forward to. Densely populated and with major sanitation issues, these camps are barely habitable, but the thousands of residents have nowhere else to go. Food and water are scarce, and most of the refugees rely solely on national and international aid for survival. The disastrous monsoon rains cause major floods and landslides in the camps, leaving many at risk of injury and deadly diseases like cholera and dysentery.
The Bangladeshi initially welcomed the Rohingya, attempting to provide food, shelter and even means to make a living. However, as the influx of people continued across the border, the hosts have struggled to meet the emergency needs of the refugees. Crisis Aid is on the ground providing emergency aid to these devastated people but we cannot carry on with this crucial work without your help, so please donate now.
To understand further the conditions of the refugee camps you can read a harrowing account of a Crisis Aid volunteer here.
