CARE Australia welcomes today’s $10 million announcement by the Australian Government to support the response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The commitment brings Australia’s total contribution to $30 million and includes support for non-government organisations, including CARE.
CARE Australia Chief Executive Sally Moyle said the situation was catastrophic, and that this funding would help get aid where it is needed most.
“Over half a million refugees have fled their homes in Myanmar since violence erupted. People are living in desperate, squalid conditions. Many of whom have experienced extreme trauma,” Ms Moyle said.
“This pledge of support from the Australian Government comes at an urgent time.
“Almost 70 per cent of refugees in Bangladesh are young children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
“They are in desperate need of clean drinking water, food, medical help and a safe place to sleep.”
CARE Australia has partnered with Oxfam to make sure that our water and sanitation response is as accessible as possible for women and girls and takes care of their specific needs; for example by providing women only toilets and bathing cubicles and menstrual hygiene kits.
Ms Moyle said CARE’s aid workers on the ground were becoming increasingly concerned about the impact of monsoon rains, which are expected.
“Having lost their homes, people will need to build more stable shelter as soon as possible. They will need strong tarpaulins, bamboo and rope to remain safe during the rains.”
CARE Australia is an international humanitarian aid organisation fighting poverty, with a special focus on working with women and girls to bring lasting change to their communities. Donations can be made to CARE Australia’s Myanmar Bangladesh Crisis Appeal at www.care.org.au/bangladesh
Ryan Fritz
Ryan Fritz started The Advocate in 2014 to provide not-for-profits and charities another media platform to tell their worthwhile hard news stories and opinion pieces effortlessly. In 2020, Ryan formed a team of volunteer journalists to help spread even more high-quality stories from the third sector. He also has over 10 years experience as a media and communications professional for not-for-profits and charities and currently works at Redkite, a childhood cancer charity.
