Rohingya Crisis Appeal

Hundreds of thousands of people, the majority women and children, have fled violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Many are now living in makeshift homes in the city of Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, which borders Myanmar.

In response, we launched a full-scale humanitarian response with the Disaster Emergency Committee. The DEC brings together 13 leading UK aid charities in times of crisis, to maximise our impact and help children and families who need it most.

Your incredible support has enabled us to provide emergency relief to those in desperate need. Our teams on the ground have been working tirelessly to keep children safe and protected, and to provide families with access to essential safe water, toilets and hygiene.

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How we're responding

Hundreds of children arrived at Cox’s Bazar unaccompanied, putting them at risk of human trafficking, sexual abuse, child labour and child marriage. The lack of access to clean water and toilets also left young children in particular at risk from waterborne and contagious diseases.

Plan International has worked in Bangladesh for 23 years. When the crisis began, our teams were on the ground to support the humanitarian response, focusing on keeping children safe and protected, and providing access to water, sanitation and hygiene.

A woman and children sheltering from rain in Balukhali camp in Bangladesh

How your donations will help

Thanks to your generous donations, our teams will be able to:

identify and document unaccompanied, separated and orphaned children
provide psychosocial support to girls, boys and their families through child-friendly spaces, community support groups and psychological first aid
distribute emergency supplies including hygiene kits, jerry cans and buckets to provide safe drinking water
provide 1,500 emergency community toilets and 350 clean bathing spaces, reducing health risks related to poor sanitation.

Modina and her two daughters next to a makeshift toilet in their camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh — "I eat less so I don’t need to go to the toilet," says Modina, 23. She and her two daughters stand next to a makeshift toilet in their camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

WHY EVERY TOILET MATTERS IN AN EMERGENCY

When thousands of people are displaced, with makeshift camps likely to be their home for weeks and months to come, having access to a decent toilet is vital for keeping them safe and protected from diseases.

Thanks to your support for our Rohingya emergency appeal, and the help of our local partners on the ground, we’ve been setting up essential WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) programmes.

A perilous journey

Our teams are hoping to reach 90,000 refugees, and are working to meet the specific needs of girls and young women like 16-year-old Asma.

Asma arrived in Balukhali camp after fleeing Myanmar with her family. She was exhausted by the time she reached the camp, telling us:

"There was fear, rain and constant walking. I felt like dying at times."