Turkish aid agency continues to help Muslims in Myanmar

By Dildar Baykan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's state-run aid agency is continuing to deliver aid to Rohingya Muslims since the crisis began in Myanmar’s Rakhine state on Aug. 25, the organization said Monday.

On Nov.1, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) launched the second phase of its aid campaign in the region.

Many food packages were delivered to a village in Pauktaw township of Rakhine state, the agency said in a statement.

The population of the village increased from 5,000 to 6,000 and the people's needs also increased correspondingly, it said.

The villagers expressed their appreciation for Turkey's help, while Rakhine state officials, who provided logistical support for the delivery of aid to the region, said they would continue to provide logistical support to Turkey in future as well, the statement added.

Turkey has been at the forefront of providing aid to Rohingya refugees; President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has even raised the issue at the UN.

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.

A year ago, following attacks on border posts in Rakhine's Maungdaw district, security forces launched a five-month crackdown in which, according to Rohingya groups, around 400 people were killed.

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

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