Rohingya Refugee Relief Fund

In times of uncertainty, local nonprofit organizations are on the frontlines of addressing the needs of their communities. As the COVID-19 pandemic fills the headlines, we take a moment to acknowledge the critical work that grassroots organizations are doing to protect those most at-risk during a crisis situation. 

In particular, GlobalGiving’s nonprofit partners operating in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh are working hard to build resilience in the Rohingya refugee community as they have been doing for the past two years. From innovative preventative healthcare measures in tackling cholera, to the construction of permanent structures as safe spaces for children’s education, your support of the Rohingya Refugee Relief Fund has been reducing vulnerabilities for the long-term. 

Constructive Solutions To Education Challenges 

Accessing basic education curriculum continues to be an ongoing struggle for refugees fleeing the violence and instability in their home country of Myanmar. As a result, aid organizations have had to get creative in their efforts to bring learning opportunities to thousands of youth. Nonprofit partner JAAGO Foundation has done just that by building newclassrooms and a library—all powered by solar panels—to create a healthy environment for students to learn. 

Strengthening Community Health Networks

Unsanitary camp conditions in the Cox’s Bazar and Kutupalong settlements oftentimes cause residents to suffer from persistent colds and infections. In order to build the community’s immunity and reduce the risk of transmission, organizations such as OBAT Helpers have been instrumental in building trust between community members and doctors in order to provide vaccinations, address symptoms, and deliver treatment. At the Rohingya Health Clinic, over 300 patients a day are met by dedicated teams of staff of both Rohingya and other medical volunteers.

Sharing Critical Information With Added Fact-checking

In times of crisis, sharing information with those who need it is only half the battle. The other half is the important step of fact-checking—which separates life-saving information from rumors or messages that might sow panic or mistrust. Nonprofit organization Internews is working hard to address this issue on both fronts. Through constant feedback loops, the organization identifies the most important information needs in the community and distributes it through radio, social media, and in-person announcements, while keeping a close eye on the spread of misinformation. This helps ensure communities receive the information they need to keep themselves and their families safe.

Thank you again for your ongoing support of this fund and the communities facing high risk during global health crises. We will continue to share regular updates on how your contribution is making a difference in this ongoing displacement crisis by supporting local, community-led initiatives. 

With gratitude,

Andrea

As we enter a new decade, we are reflecting on all the ways that donors like you chose to act with empathy, kindness, and solidarity in support of people affected by humanitarian crises. Through your donations to the Rohingya Refugee Relief Fund, local nonprofit organizations received the resources required to address the long-term needs of roughly 900,000 refugees driven from their homes by violence and conflict. 

While it remains uncertain how long this displacement crisis will last, the GlobalGiving community is continuing to respond to the new set of challenges through a recent round of grants in support of relief efforts:

Empowering Medical Response from Within the Community

The goal of OBAT Helpers Inc is to improve the health outcomes of Rohingya refugees by harnessing the capacity that lies within the Rohingya community itself. OBAT Helpers is achieving this by developing a network of Community Health Workers comprised of Rohingya volunteers, empowering the very community the health organization works to benefit. 

The health workers make regular “home visits” within the camps and work to raise awareness of the clinic’s available services within the Rohingya community. Thanks to your generous support, the health workers distribute medical supplies based on the needs they observe during visits. 

The Right to Education 

Losing everything after being forced to flee from Myanmar is difficult enough, but especially heartbreaking is the erosion of educational opportunities available to displaced Rohingya children living in the Bangladeshi camps. Tensions over which country’s curriculum to permit has limited access to formalized education, a critical necessity to avoid a “lost generation.”

JAAGO Foundation, a local nonprofit partner based in Bangladesh, aims to provide the very best in holistic care and protection for children ages 4-15 through its Safe Haven Project. Through the creation of three different learning zones within the camps, JAAGO builds an environment of social and emotional development for students, complete with experts in trauma therapy. 

Progress in the Fight Against Gender-based Violence

BRAC USA is coordinating with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in launching a new initiative against gender-based violence.

Over 100 men are stepping into the role of fighting sexual and gender-based violence, speaking weekly about a variety of topics including positive masculinity, child marriage, and polygamy. Utilizing this community-based model, community members are given the skills and knowledge they need to become role models equipped to confront abuse and offer pathways of support to victims. 

In 2020, enabled by your generous support of this fund, GlobalGiving is working to establish new partnerships with Rohingya-led organizations and host community leaders to ensure the well-being of both young and old affected by this conflict. Inspired by a fresh start, we join together in hoping for a resolution to this ongoing crisis.