In August 2017, an upsurge in violence by the Myanmar army in the state of Rakhine created one of the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world. More than 700,000 Rohingya refugees made a treacherous journey by sea or foot across the border from Myanmar into Bangladesh. They fled after their villages were burnt down and many witnessed family members being killed.
At least 6,700 Rohingya, including at least 730 children under the age of five, were killed in the month after the violence broke out, according to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
The Rohingya have been widely abused and exploited for decades. With no official home or citizenship, their movement and access to medical care, education and other basic services had been severely restricted.
The UNHCR estimates that over 700,000 new arrivals now reside in camps in the Cox’s Bazar region of Bangladesh where they face daily challengers. Over 58% of them are women and children.
Act for Peace partner CAID have been working in Jamtoli camp providing life-saving assistance including access to clean water, shelter, medical care and creating safe spaces for women and children.
Pictures and film shot on assignment for Act for Peace for the 2018 Christmas Bowl Appeal
(Names have been changed to protect identities)