Hundreds of Rohingya Muslim refugees forced to flee Myanmar (Burma) have received emergency food aid...

Hundreds of Rohingya Muslim refugees forced to flee Myanmar (Burma) have received emergency food aid as part of Islamic Help’s Ramadan campaign.

The Ramadan food packs distribution was held in the Bayeun refugee camp in Aceh Timur, Indonesia, which has seen an influx of refugees who have risked their lives to flee their native country.

The camp, which is run by UNHCR – the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – and Indonesian authorities houses at least 738 Rohingya Muslims.

Working with our local partner, the Nahdatul Ulama (NU) Indonesia, Islamic Help provided iftars for the refugees as part of our Ramadan Rohingya emergency appeal.

The iftar packs consisted of rice, fish, fresh fruit (banana), vegetables and fresh fruit juices.

A day before the distribution, Islamic Help asked beneficiaries about their food preferences and IH volunteers cooked the iftar packs based on their responses.

As part of our emergency appeal, Islamic Help teams earlier this month distributed food and water to Rohingya communities in Rakhine state in Myanmar. More than 475 food packs were provided to families and widows during that project.

• Thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar to escape persecution. According to the United Nations, the Rohingya population in Myanmar - estimated to be about 1.5 million - is among the most oppressed communities on Earth.
• Denied citizenship, they are regarded as stateless. Thousands have undertaken perilous sea voyages to reach other countries but have been exploited by the human traffickers they have entrusted their lives to.
• Many have been killed by being thrown out of boats and ships; others have been attacked and robbed.
• Last month more than 3,600 migrants abandoned by traffickers were rescued or washed ashore in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Islamic Help chairman Mohammad Masood Alam, who is at the Bayeun refugee camp, said the plight of the Rohingya refugees was desperate.

“These are men, women and children who have been forced to flee their country and have nowhere to turn. They have left everything behind to find safety,” he said.

“It is only because of the generosity and donations from our supporters that we are able to provide iftars for them during this holy month of Ramadan.”

Islamic Help will continue distributing emergency aid to Rohingya Muslims during Ramadan. Please support our appeal. Donate today.