Christian families were amongst those who lost everything when a terrible fire raged through the refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, on 22 March 2021.
The devastating blaze affected five sections of the huge and sprawling camp, killing at least 15 people, injuring hundreds and making tens of thousands homeless.
The vast majority of the Rohingya refugees are Muslims, but amongst them are a few hundred Rohingya Christians from another background who have suffered much for becoming followers of Christ. The flimsy bamboo homes and meagre possessions of some of these Christians were destroyed by the inferno. (The security situation and communications difficulties are causing delays in ascertaining the exact number of Christians affected.)
Double persecution
Rohingya Christians fled persecution in their homeland because of their ethnicity and now face persecution in their place of refuge because of their Christian faith.
Stirring up the normally peaceful and tolerant Rohingya Muslims to anti-Christian violence and discrimination is an extremist group called the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).
Rohingya Christians often find they are left out when humanitarian aid from NGOs (non-governmental organisations) is given out. The international aid agencies use Rohingya Muslims to organise aid distribution – the result is that Christians receive nothing. The Christians see behind this the influence of the ARSA.
Double disaster
On top of double persecution, came double disaster – Covid-19 has had a devastating effect on the vast and crowded refugee camp, and then came Monday’s fire.
Aid from Barnabas Fund
But Barnabas Fund has been working discreetly since 2019 to give practical help to the Rohingya Christians in Cox’s Bazar and will help the Christian families who lost everything in the fire.
Your gift today can provide food, clothes and shelter for vulnerable and forgotten believers whom the world does not see.
We are providing clothes and emergency food packs of rice, lentils, potatoes, fish, eggs, onions, garlic, ginger, cooking oil, salt and sugar. God willing, we will also fund new houses for the homeless families, a little more robust than burnt ones.
- Clothes for a family of 2 adults, 3 children £39 ($53; €45)
- Emergency food pack for one family (to last up to a month) £43 ($59; €50)
- Family house of wood and woven bamboo £390 ($530; €450)
Remember the forgotten. See the invisible. Listen to their unheard cries. Pray for their protection. Give now.
