Myanmar Refugee Crisis: reaching the most vulnerable
The UN estimates around one third of the refugees who’ve crossed the border from Myanmar to Bangladesh are vulnerable adults or children.
This includes single mothers supporting their families in harsh camp conditions, those with serious health problems or disabilities, the elderly, and children separated from their families.
Tearfund partners continue to work in this difficult environment, witnessing the scale of the crisis and providing much-needed assistance to the most vulnerable.
A mother’s concern
Odule was born at a hospital outside the Kutupalong refugee camp. His mother Shaketo had recently crossed the border from Myanmar. But she was extremely concerned for her one-month-old son’s health.
She took Odule to a medical camp run by Tearfund’s partner COAST Trust, where he was examined by a doctor. A congenital deformity had caused a severe open head injury, which needed urgent medical attention.
Shaketo told us: ‘I am very worried about my baby’s health. I have no money to take him to a hospital or to get him good healthcare. I don’t know how to help him get better, I’m so worried.’
Crowds of patients
The doctor, Dr Ravirant Singh, said: ‘This baby requires treatment that we just can’t give in a camp like this. He needs to be referred to a hospital.
‘With crowds like this we cannot treat all problems. There are many such serious cases which require referral but we just have basic medicine to treat diarrhoea and respiratory issues. We are totally helpless if we see this type of problem.’
Children and women make up more than half of the total population of the Kutupalong camp and many have medical conditions which increase their vulnerability.
Smart counting
The latest figures come from the UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, which is using an innovative counting technique to allow more efficient data analysis.
Data is recorded digitally and uploaded without the need for a mobile signal. So far more than 500,000 refugees have been counted.
Thankfully COAST Trust were able to arrange for Odule to be taken to a nearby hospital to receive the treatment he needs. But the need is still great for many people in these camps and the generous giving from Tearfund supporters, alongside the Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal, is proving to be life-saving.
Read more stories of the work of Tearfund and our partners.
