Burma Task Force Action Alert: Protect Rohingya in Cox’s Bazaar From COVID-19

The Bangladesh’s foreign minister AK Abdul Momen said on Friday that details of 492,000 Rohingya sheltering in Cox’s Bazar for immediate repatriation had been handed to the Myanmar authorities. The Irrawaddy reports handed over the list to Burma for verification to facilitate their return to Rakhine State.

There is increasing apprehension in Rohingya camps in Bangladesh, where refugees have already been traumatized by genocide. The crowded camp conditions will be a disastrous trap if the virus arrives. We request that you write to the Bangladesh authorities, as well as relevant staff of the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding this:

Write: Catalin-Constantin Bercaru, WHO Bangladesh Country Office at bercaruc@who.int 

CC: Staff at: Bangladesh Country Office staff: sebanregistry@who.int 

CC to Shamila Sharma, WHO Southeast Asia Regional Office   sharmasha@who.int 

Message: Thank you for your help with keeping Rohingya safe, as well as protecting all the people of Cox’s Bazar from Chicken Pox, Cholera, and other diseases. Now we have the terrible challenge of the COVID 19 virus before us. The people of the world thank you for your brave efforts. 

Write: Dr  Dr Stephan Paul Jost, WHO Country Office Myanmar (Burma) at semmr@who.int  

Message: Please ensure that the Burmese Government provides COVID 19 testing, prevention and care to all those in need. As you know, conflict zones and displacement camps provide special attention. The Rohingya minority has not received equal access to medical care for many years. Will you have access to them? 

CC: Media at https://www.facebook.com/theirrawaddy @IrrawaddyNews @BenedictDunant