Turkish Red Crescent launches aid campaign for Rohingya

By Cigdem Alyanak

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish Red Crescent has launched a nationwide aid campaign for Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state.

The campaign titled “Be a life for Rakhine State” aims to reach hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims, a statement issued by the aid agency said on Friday.

“Those who stay in Rakhine state and those who fled to Bangladesh urgently need clean drinking water, medicine, food and tents,” Kerem Kinik, president of the agency said.

The Turkish Red Crescent teams are holding talks with Bangladesh authorities to determine the needs of people and to pave the way for aid, he added.

The agency has been taking aid to Rakhine State since 2012 and has a branch there.

People can donate by sending a text message to 2868, dialing call center at 168 or through cash in all branches of the Turkish Red Crescent across the country.

Kinik said that only one text message can bring change in the lives of the people being persecuted in Rakhine.

Those who want to support the campaign from abroad can make donations to the following account number of Ziraat Bank in Germany.

Ziraat Bank International AG Filiale Frankfurt Am Hauptbahnhof 16 60329 Frankfurt KONTO NO: 1080000001, BLZ: 512 207 00, IBAN NO: DE26 5122 0700 1080 0000 01, SWIFT: TCZBDEFF

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.

Last October, following attacks on border posts in Rakhine’s Maungdaw district, Myanmar 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 infants and young children -- brutal beatings and disappearances committed by security personnel.

In a report, UN investigators said the human rights violations constituted crimes against humanity.

Fresh violence erupted in Rakhine state nearly two weeks ago when security forces launched an operation against the Rohingya.

Bangladesh, which already hosted around 400,000 Rohingya refugees, has faced a fresh influx of refugees since the security operation was launched.

According to the UN, 270,000 Rohingya have sought refuge in Bangladesh as of Friday.