Turkey distributes Ramadan aid to Rohingya in Myanmar

By Meryem Goktas

ANKARA (AA) - A foundation linked to Turkey's religious authority distributed aid to Rohingya Muslims living in crisis in Myanmar during the month of Ramadan, a representative said on Friday.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Abdullah Ucak, Bangladesh coordinator for the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV), said a total of 6,200 food aid packages were distributed to Rohingya Muslims in Sittwe, the capital of the volatile western Rakhine state, where internal migration took place.

Ucak said the packages containing rice, oil, sugar, salt and flour were distributed at several refugee camps.

Additionally, 5,000 Rohingya Muslims received iftar (fast-breaking) meals across the region, Ucak added.

Since Aug. 25, 2017, more than 750,000 refugees, mostly children, and women have fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community, according to Amnesty International.

At least 9,400 Rohingya were killed in Rakhine from Aug. 25 to Sept. 24 last year, according to Doctors Without Borders.

In a report published recently, the humanitarian group said the deaths of 71.7 percent or 6,700 Rohingya were caused by violence. They include 730 children below the age of 5.

The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.

The UN documented mass gang rapes, killings -- including of infants and young children -- brutal beatings, and disappearances committed by security personnel.

In a report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.