COVID-19 Inside the Rohingya Refugee Camps
Two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the Rohingya camps on May 15th, 2020. 1,900 Rohingya refugees are being isolated for testing. HAEFA and other aid agencies are doing everything they can to curb a massive outbreak of COVID-19 in the camps, but the conditions in the camps make this nearly impossible.
The virus is already spreading in the largest refugee camp in the world. As of May 18th, there are now six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Rohingya refugee camps. This number may be underestimated due to lack of testing.
To add to this devastation, Super Cyclone Amphan is currently approaching Bangladesh from the Bay of Bengal. The super cyclone is due to sweep through the Cox’s Bazar region on May 20th, putting the local population and the 1+ million Rohingya refugees in a region vulnerable to landslides in serious danger.
To contribute to HAEFA’s COVID-19 response, you can donate at haefa.org/donatetohaefa. Donations support funding PPE for our healthcare workers in the Rohingya camps. Donations are matched by a Geneva-based company up to $10,000, so for every $1 you donate, $2 will go towards protecting Rohingya refugees from COVID-19!
HAEFA responses in Rohingya camps
Content written by Students for HAEFA, Phoebe Kennan and Jenna Mullen.