Saturday 20 / April / 2024
The United Nations is bracing for a possible “further exodus” of Muslim Rohingya refugees from Myanmar into Bangladesh six weeks after the world’s fastest-developing refugee emergency began, its humanitarian aid chief says. Samantha Vadas reports.
Six weeks after the world's fastest-developing refugee emergency began, the United Nations says it's bracing for a possible further exodus of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar.
More than half a million refugees have now fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, after escaping a bloody crackdown by the Myanmar military.
The U.N. says the flow of people over the border hasn't stopped yet, and plans to send a senior official to Myanmar in the coming days.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS, MARK LOWCOCK, SAYING:
"The access we have in Rakhine, especially in northern Rakhine, is unacceptable ... and we repeat our call to the authorities in Myanmar to put in place the arrangements that make it possible for humanitarians, not just U.N., but across the piste, humanitarians to do their normal work."
Myanmar has blocked most access to the area, though some agencies have offices open in towns there.
Myanmar officials say they've tried to reassure those wanting to flee to Bangladesh, but couldn't stop them from leaving.
(SOUNDBITE) (Bengali) ROHINGYA REFUGEE, AMENA KHATOON, SAYING:
"My husband was killed ... after that I was facing too many problems with my four children. I left Myanmar and came here so they could get food."
With almost 300,000 Rohingya now in urgent need of food in Bangladesh, aid agencies are warning of a malnutrition crisis.
About 900,000 doses of cholera vaccine are due to arrive this weekend, with a vaccination campaign expected to start on Tuesday (October 10).
