ICRC - News Release No. 17/71
15 September 2017

- The ICRC is concerned by the violence and its effect on all people in the northern areas of Rakhine as well as in Bangladesh. We call on all persons involved in the violence to respect the rule of law and to not attack people who are not engaged in the violence.

- The recent violence has caused massive numbers of people to leave their homes, and we plan to increase our operations to help meet those people's needs. We plan to assist with water, food, medical care and other basic necessities. We also will help reconnect people who have been separated from their families or loved ones due to displacement.  This assistance will be based on an assessment of the needs of the displaced.

- The ICRC is working closely with the Myanmar Red Cross Society, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and the International Federation. Together we operate with Red Cross Red Crescent staff, as well as volunteers who come from the communities where we are working. Their understanding of local conditions is invaluable in ensuring that we work in a neutral and impartial manner.

- Since the beginning of the crises at the end of August, the ICRC and the Movement partners have helped over 13,000 people stranded at the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh, and we will soon help more. In Myanmar, in the first two weeks of the crisis, we helped 10,000 displaced people.

Fabrizio Carboni, the ICRC’s Head of Delegation in Myanmar, said:“We are deeply concerned by the current outbreaks of violence, and the devastating effect it is having on all people in the northern areas of Rakhine as well as in Bangladesh. Lives of those affected by this tragic situation have become simply unbearable. We continue scaling up aid to support all people fleeing violence, but more funding is urgently needed.”

Ikhtiyar Aslanov, the ICRC’s Head of Delegation in Bangladesh, said: “We are responding to the most urgent needs of the new arrivals from Myanmar within our capacity and resources. People are fleeing their homes with very few belongings and we hope that we can relieve some of their suffering by providing much needed healthcare, water and food.  However, addressing the needs of all people will not be possible without additional donor support.”

Background

Much of the recent focus is on the worst violence in northern Rakhine, though the ICRC has been operating throughout the state since 2012. It is the poorest state in Myanmar, and one that has been badly impacted over the years by the violence and other disasters such as flooding. The ICRC has a permanent presence in Sittwe, the capital city of Rakhine, Mrauk-U and Maungdaw. Our teams have been working in these regions to improve healthcare systems, clean water, improving conditions of detainees in prison, and supporting solutions for sustainable livelihoods.

In Cox’s Bazar, the ICRC has been supporting people fleeing Rakhine, but also the host communities since 2014. We have been supporting two health facilities in Teknaf and Ukhiya sub-districts. The services and the infrastructure of both clinics have been upgraded to respond to the increasing number of arrivals from Rakhine. Services to reconnect separated family members have also been intensified since October 2016, and are still running in different camps at Cox's Bazar.

Current appeal

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – the Myanmar Red Cross, Bangladesh Red Crescent, IFRC and ICRC – is scaling up operations in Myanmar and Bangladesh, including in border areas.

In Myanmar, the ICRC appeals for 16,6 million Swiss francs to fund Movement operations to reach at least 150,000 people.

In Bangladesh, ICRC appeals for 6,9 million Swiss francs to reach at least 75,000 people.

The International Federation need 12.7 million Swiss francs, to reach at least 100.000 people.

Key figures
 

Myanmar:

In the northern area of Rakhine, this past week ICRC with Movement partners have assisted more than 10,000 people with first aid, medical supplies, clean water, food and other emergency items.

Since 24th of August:

- distributed 4,100 water bottles to affected communities

- constructed 40 Emergency latrines and provided 10 Emergency latrines kits

- contributed hygiene kits to 267 affected households

- contributed 40 shelter and tarpaulins kits affected households

Bangladesh:

ICRC and the Movement partners were able to help more than 13,000 people.
 

Since 24th of August:

- distributed 13 375 food parcels

- supported mobile health teams taking 1,447 health consultations

- supported building 500 latrines, 10 deep wells, 15 shallow wells and 5 water pumps