Save the Children welcomes the calls of Bob Rae, the Canadian government’s special envoy in Myanmar, for Prime Minister Trudeau to continue Canada’s support for the displaced Rohingya Muslims in Bangladesh.
Particularly the urgency to provide aid to education for the 350,000 children who have fled their homes and now facing uncertain futures.
Bill Chambers, President and CEO of Save the Children said “Children we’ve spoken to have told us how much they want to go back to school and learn. Children who are not in school are left at an increased risk of exploitation like trafficking, sexual abuse and child labor. These children have already seen and experienced things that no child should ever see”.
Save the Children recognises what Canada has done so far to help with this crisis, especially acknowledging the specific protection needs of children.
“One of the best ways to protect children in a crisis like this is to get them into a learning space. A space where they can learn, and also benefit from things like psychosocial support and improved hygiene practices”, added Chambers.
Save the Children believes that at the appropriate time Rohingya children should be given the option for a voluntary return home to start rebuilding their lives, when it is safe to do so. In the meantime, education is vital for children’s development and every child has the right to go to school.
Save the Children has a long history working in Myanmar, including supporting those living in camps in Sittwe and Pauktaw. The aid agency is also responding in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh, where it has reached over 230,000 Rohingya.
In addition to Save the Children’s learning programs for displaced Rohingya children, the organization is addressing other challenges such as supporting those who have been separated from their families or orphaned. Providing children with 24-hour care and working to trace their families for reunification. The aid organization is also distributing food, hygiene and household kits, shelter items and digging latrines.
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